Bilkisu Abdullahi, the tall, lanky Fulani beauty, is a toast of any producer or director who could be featured as a lead actress in any film. In this interview with ALIYU ASKIRA, she speaks on her challenges, sex for role and why she almost quit acting.
You are now one of the actresses that are working in Baba Karami’s company, and there are several allegations against Baba Karami whose real name is Abdullahi Sani Abdullahi. He is said to hardly feature a lady in his film without she compromising her body. Have you experienced that?
Well, before joining Kannywood, I had heard about all sorts of dirty allegations against producers and directors, but when I decided to join Kannywood, I didn’t know anybody in the industry. So, my brother introduced me to Baba Karami who engaged me and featured me in one of his films, Aikin Duhu. That was my first film and since then I have been getting offers from different directors and producers.
What is Aikin Duhu’s story line?
It was about me meeting one guy in a Keke Napep, who asked for my number and I refused to give it to him because I thought he had nothing to offer. I, however, discovered later that he was extremely rich, and I regretted my action so much.
Before now you only watched Kannywood actors and actresses from a distance, but you are now part and parcel of them; how does it feel to be one of them?
I feel marvellous that today I sit side by side with Ali Nuhu, Adam A. Zango, and Sadiq Sani Sadiq. It’s like a dream to me, but honestly since I am now about three years in the industry I have become a star, and I find it difficult to move freely in town because of the thousands of fans who root for me. Some want to see me, some want to have my number, while others including my female fans are interested in having me as their friend or to take photographs of me.
Some actresses are not as beautiful as you are, yet you didn’t penetrate the industry very fast, why?
I have heard about people saying that I am arrogant, but the truth is that I will never zip down for any amount. Some ladies are in Kannywood only to hustle, they can do anything to secure roles in big films, but I am not like that and I will never do such a thing. For me to sleep with a director or producer to feature me in his film I better quit the industry. This is because my womanhood is my pride and it will remain so until I get married.
Which state do you hail from?
My Father hails from Kano state – that means I am an indigene of Kano state. My mother is a Fulani from Adamawa state. I was brought up by a responsible family. By the way, all the things people are hearing that are taking place in Kannywood are not true. The industry is a decent one and it is one that you can be proud to belong to. If you are new and you start getting a series of roles alongside senior Kannywood stakeholders, people would start making all sorts of allegation about you, but all in all I am happy with what is happening in Kannywood and the sky is my limit.
