Renowned filmmaker Toyin Abraham may have found herself in distress as her latest cinematic creation, “Malaika,” grapples with the insidious reach of piracy.
The movie, released in December 2023 alongside other blockbuster films, including Funke Akindele’s “A Tribe Called Judah” and Mercy Aigbe’s “Ada Omo Daddy,” was anticipated to be a milestone in Abraham’s illustrious career.
Expecting a surge in fortune after garnering positive reviews and drawing sizable crowds to cinemas nationwide, Abraham was instead confronted with the harsh reality of piracy.
Shockingly, her multimillion-naira project had fallen victim to unauthorized distribution across various social media platforms, leaving her disheartened and in a state of despair.
During a press briefing, Abraham shared the gut-wrenching moment when her manager sent her a link, unveiling the unauthorised dissemination of “Malaika” on Telegram channels.
The filmmaker, visibly distressed, recounted the emotional toll the discovery took on her, leading to days of uncontrollable tears and ultimately triggering panic attacks.
Abraham, who said she had been hospitalized, disclosed that she had invested nearly half a billion naira in the project, lamenting the stark absence of anticipated returns.
In her lamentation, Abraham highlighted the painstaking efforts and financial commitment invested in bringing “Malaika” to life.
She bemoaned the piracy that not only jeopardized her financial aspirations but also undermined the creative endeavor and hard work of the entire team behind the film.
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