Actor Ibrahim Yekini, popularly known as Itele D Icon, has seen his new movie Abanisètè: The Ancestor maintain the number one spot at the Nigerian box office for two straight weekends, grossing over N70 million.
Distributor FilmOne Entertainment confirmed the milestone on Instagram, writing: “Thank you, Nigeria! Abanisètè continues to reign as the No.1 film for 2 consecutive weekends with over N70M at the box office! This is more than a movie, it’s our story. Catch Abanisètè: The Ancestor now showing in cinemas nationwide!”
The epic premiered on August 14 at Filmhouse, Circle Mall in Lagos, with stars like Odunlade Adekola, Muyiwa Ademola and Lateef Adedimeji in attendance. It opened in cinemas nationwide on August 15.
Abanisètè tells the story of a community that turns to ancestral strength to defend its heritage when threatened. The movie explores Yoruba culture through rituals, dance and themes of unity.
Directed by Itele alongside Tope Adebayo Salami and Adebayo Tijani, the film stars Lateef Adedimeji, Broda Shaggi, Omowunmi Dada, Fausat Balogun, Faithia Williams, Yinka Quadri, Kola Ajeyemi, Mo Bimpe, Jude Chukwuka and others.
Itele, who began producing films in 2004, has acted in hits such as Kesari, Lucifer, Jagun Jagun and A Tribe Called Judah. He won Best Actor in a Lead Role at the 2020 Best of Nollywood Awards for Lucifer.
The actor says Abanisètè is not just entertainment but also a way to reconnect audiences with their ancestral heritage.
