Kelani, widely known as TK, expressed his displeasure in a Facebook post on Wednesday, accusing bloggers and digital content creators of cutting segments from his films and reposting them as short-form videos without consent.
Among the affected titles are Saworoide, Agogo Eewo, Ti Oluwa Nile, and Thunderbolt: Magun, which have recently appeared in fragmented clips across platforms such as Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok.
“This is WRONG! Cutting our films into unauthorised reels and posting them online is not promotion. It is piracy and the destruction of our cultural work,” he wrote.
The respected director stressed that films are complete artistic expressions and should not be reduced to brief, monetised snippets designed solely to drive traffic and engagement.
“A film is a complete story, not fragments for quick views to make quick money illegally. This is stealing openly,” Kelani stated.
He urged digital creators and social media users to respect copyright laws and support filmmakers through legitimate distribution channels, warning that the continued practice undermines Nigeria’s creative heritage.
“Please stop this practice and wickedness! Support creators by watching and sharing films through the proper channels. Let us protect, not diminish, our heritage. Stop this criminality,” he added.
Kelani’s comments reflect growing concerns within Nigeria’s film industry over the widespread reposting of movie scenes without authorisation from rights holders — a trend industry stakeholders say threatens revenue streams and creative sustainability.
One of Nigeria’s most celebrated filmmakers, Kelani is renowned for culturally rooted storytelling and literary adaptations. His body of work also includes classics such as Koseegbe, Oleku, The Narrow Path, White Handkerchief, Maami, and Dazzling Mirage.
Industry observers say the debate highlights the broader challenge of balancing digital visibility with intellectual property protection in Nigeria’s fast-growing entertainment ecosystem.