Renowned Hausa movie actress, Rahama Ibrahim Sadau, who was expelled from the industry for hugging and cuddling in a romantic musical video, has said being an actress from the North has too many restrictions.
Recall that the Motion Pictures Practitioners Association of Nigeria, MOPPAN, had recently, expelled the actress, who said she took responsibility for her actions.
In a chat with The Nation, the Kaduna state-born thespian said life of an actress up north, is difficult but one just has to look in the way of positive things.
On how she pulls through, Sadau said, “I put in a lot of focus, dedication and determination. And you just be yourself and avoid other things that will create problems or scandals for you, because you know, how the northern part is not the same like other places and in the light of all these, the fact that I come out to work every day and just do what I want to do is what keeps me going. And the love I’m receiving from fans, from friends and family is really motivating.”
The ‘Sons of the Caliphate’ actress compared Nollywood with the industry up north (Kannywood), saying “Like I said, they are the same industries. The only challenges we have is that we have our own culture, norms and traditions that we can’t just go against. But everything is the same; the production, the set, and every other thing, including the story.”
Sadau advised a typical northern girl to follow her footstep as a successful actress, saying “I just recently launched my new production company and all of the crew members are female. It is deliberate because northern girls think they are women that are just kept aside. That can’t just make a move.
“We have talents; we have potentials in the North. But they are not given the opportunity to explode. And it’s not something bad. Just like I said, you can have restrictions. Being an actor doesn’t mean I would have to go nude to portray a character.
“When I decided to take acting as a career, at first my parents were against it. But today, my mum is so proud. When she saw me on Super Story, she was like, that is my girl. So I have the support of my family and that is all I need.
“I think the industry should begin to explore ways so they can measure up. I think we should but that would be up to the filmmakers and the producers.
“A typical Hausa girl who wants to pursue her dreams can rise up against certain stereotypes. You can tell when you watch Sons of the Caliphate because the story was trying to portray a Hausa girl who doesn’t want to go against the norms and traditions of the northerners. You can tell from that.
“She doesn’t do nasty things. She doesn’t do anything that is beyond what the people would say or against what the people would complain about.” She, however, said she does not see herself as the kind of person who will want to change the northern culture.
She said, “Well, we are born in this northern zone. You can’t say you will change culture. You just have to be careful with what you’re doing. And my own perception is that an actor is just an actor. It’s just like trying to portray an art for people to see. It has nothing to do with religion or anything of the sort. I’m just an actor.
“I came across a little difficulty because you know how the north is. Even to act in the northern zone is a problem because our people see it as something that isn’t normal. But today, I’m so proud. I’m like a role model to others and it’s fine. I’m okay with that.”
Asked if she could marry a fellow actor, she said, “Oh yes, so that he understands the job and he can allow me practice because if I marry someone who is not an actor, I would most likely have to stop acting. So I would like to marry an actor.”
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