The first-look images for Niyi Akinmolayan’s much-anticipated epic drama Colours of Fire have been released, setting social media abuzz with excitement, curiosity, and debate. Slated to hit cinemas on December 24, 2025, the star-studded production is already shaping up to be one of Nollywood’s boldest and most visually stunning films yet.
Niyi Akinmolayan’s Colours of Fire
Niyi Akinmolayan’s Colours of Fire
Led by Osas Ighodaro and Uzor Arukwe, with powerhouse performances from Mercy Aigbe, Femi Branch, and Gabriel Afolayan, Colours of Fire promises an intense blend of politics, forbidden love, betrayal, and power struggles, told through the lens of pre-colonial African kingdoms. The images reveal lush sets drenched in rich fabrics, golden thrones, ceremonial gatherings, and bold costume artistry that reflect Akinmolayan’s ambition to push Nigerian filmmaking into a new visual era.
One still in particular has sparked widespread conversation, a scene where a male character, played by Uzor Arukwe, holds Osas Ighodaro intimately, his blade poised near her chest. The daring image has divided opinions, with some praising its cinematic boldness and others questioning its provocative edge. Either way, it has ignited the exact buzz every filmmaker dreams of before release.
Niyi Akinmolayan: Nollywood’s Boundary-Pusher
Known for taking risks and scaling Nollywood’s creative limits, Akinmolayan has become one of the industry’s most inventive storytellers. His Netflix hit “Thinline” redefined psychological thrillers with its dark exploration of obsession and betrayal, earning international acclaim for its layered storytelling and world-class production quality. Colours of Fire now signals his boldest leap yet, a visually immersive African epic that could rival global period dramas.
The director, famed for hits like The Wedding Party 2, The Arbitration, and The Set Up, has steadily evolved from romantic comedies to socially charged dramas and now to grand-scale African storytelling that marries tradition with cinematic spectacle.
Niyi Akinmolayan’s Colours of Fire
Niyi Akinmolayan’s Colours of Fire
Niyi Akinmolayan’s Colours of Fire
A New Era for Nollywood Storytelling
From the intricately designed royal courts to the dramatic feast scenes brimming with local cuisine and symbolism, every frame seems crafted to celebrate African heritage with unapologetic grandeur. Costume and set design teams deserve major credit for building worlds that feel regal yet raw, mystical yet grounded.
With Osas Ighodaro leading the charge, already praised for her ability to embody complex female characters, and Uzor Arukwe stepping into an intense, layered role, the film may usher in a new standard for Nollywood’s period dramas. The supporting cast, including industry veterans Mercy Aigbe, Femi Branch, and Gabriel Afolayan, also signals a production determined to blend star power with artistic depth.
What to Expect
If the first images are any indication, audiences can brace for a cinematic feast, blood, passion, betrayal, and the fierce beauty of African kingdoms brought to life with international-level cinematography. By choosing to lean into unapologetically African storytelling while pushing global visual standards, Colours of Fire could stand as Akinmolayan’s most defining work to date.
The film arrives just in time for the festive season, promising a bold new chapter for Nollywood and a reminder that Nigerian filmmakers can compete on the world stage without losing cultural authenticity.
