In 2010, a Nigerian crime comedy-drama film titled Omo Ghetto (child of the ghetto) starring Funke Akindele took the Nollywood scene by storm. This year, the actor and producer released a sequel – Omo ghetto: The Saga.
The comedy stars Funke Akindele in the dual role of Ayomide and Lefty, Tina Mba, Adebayo Salami aka Oga Bello, Chioma Akpotha, Bimbo Thomas.
Since released during the yuletide season, December 25, 2020, the movie has not only received extremely positive reviews from critics, it has also shattered existing Nollywood records and set some of its own.
Omo ghetto: The Saga earned over ₦189 million in the opening week, becoming the first Nollywood film to gross over ₦99 million on its opening and more than N468 million in a month.
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This week, it was declared Nollywood’s highest-grossing movie of all time, breaking the box office’s four-year record formerly held by Kemi Adetiba’s The Wedding Party.
It has also surpassed previously released Fate of Alakada as the highest-grossing Nigerian film for the year 2020.
In a first-ever for a Nollywood movie, Omo ghetto: The Saga hit the cinemas in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) from the 21st of January, 2021.
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These achievements come at a time when the Covid-19 pandemic has altered lots of livelihoods and businesses, with lockdowns and restrictions also imposed by the government on public places like the cinema to rein in the virus.
“I didn’t think twice about running to the cinema to see Omo Ghetto even with the fear of getting coronavirus,” a viewer told Arbiterz. “And thank God Funke Akindele did not disappoint us. The movie is very funny, full of action, and touching. It also teaches a valuable lesson of not putting your trust in just anyone.”
“At 2 hours and 30 minutes, Omo Ghetto, with its wordplay, comedic violence, and twisted truths of the underground lifestyle of trouble makers in Lagos ghettos, is undoubtedly the funniest movie of 2020,” another viewer said.
Ameenah Hassan is an intern at Arbiterz.
