Award-winning filmmaker Kunle Afolayan and his brother, Aremu, have reconciled, bringing an end to their long-standing feud.
The two are sons of the late legendary filmmaker and theatre icon, Ade Love. Over the years, they had been estranged due to personal differences. Their other siblings include Moji Afolayan (sister), Gabriel Afolayan (brother), and Anu Afolayan (brother).
Reports indicate that Kunle, founder of the KAP Film & Television Academy, had a strained relationship with Aremu due to disagreements over life choices and lifestyle.
The rift became public in 2018 when Kunle, in a Punch newspaper interview published on 22 April, referred to Aremu as “stupid” for alleging that their father lived in poverty despite his fame.
This statement followed an earlier interview on 14 April, where Aremu shared what the publication described as “his grass-to-grace story.” In the interview, Aremu claimed he was born poor, which embarrassed Kunle due to their striking resemblance. Aremu’s comments reportedly caused confusion among Kunle’s friends and associates, who mistook the interviewee for Kunle and inundated him with calls.
Since then, their differences have occasionally surfaced online, with Aremu publicly criticizing his brother and other family members. One notable instance occurred on 22 March 2023, when Aremu posted a profanity-laden Instagram video accusing his family of neglecting him by not buying him a car. The video was later deleted.
However, during the wake-keep ceremony for their late mother in Oyo State on Friday, the brothers reconciled. Their mother had passed away on 2 November at the age of 81.
Speaking at the event, Kunle, now 54, emphasized the age difference between him and Aremu, asserting that he viewed himself more as Aremu’s father than his brother. He said: “One thing I want to tell all his (Aremu’s) friends is that I’m not his brother but his father. Ask him; I trained him. I’m ten years older than him, but you, his female friends, push him. But love conquers all.”
Black Sheep
In response, 44-year-old Aremu apologized to Kunle and admitted to often disregarding family guidance. While paying tribute to his late mother, Aremu credited her with helping repair his relationship with Kunle before her passing.
He said: “My mother tried a lot because I had run away from her many times when they said I should go to school, and I said I am not going to High School. My brother (Kunle) punched me for why I didn’t want to go to school.
“My greatest joy today is what has been difficult for me for over 40 years. My mother gave it to me one day because my brother and I don’t talk, but my mother made us talk. She didn’t stop praying because I (Aremu) am the black sheep in the family. I disagree with my brother; he has no excuses because they said we resemble each other.”
Aremu also praised Kunle for his generosity, revealing that Kunle built a house for their mother and included all the siblings’ names, despite Aremu not contributing financially to the project.
He further apologized for his past actions, including his critical Instagram posts and the challenges they caused Kunle. “It’s because I love you; God knows,” he said.
Reflecting on their relationship, Aremu added: “He (Kunle) said I didn’t go to school, and sometimes I’m womanising in nature, but he made me know many people, such as gospel singer Tope Alabi. He has built a house for our mother, and this is the house we are in today.
“I don’t have a kobo in this house, but he built it in our name. I’m sorry for putting you (Kunle) through the Instagram backlash. It’s because I love you,” Aremu concluded.
