What is your background and how did you join kannywood? Well, I am from Kano state, I live with my parents here, both of them are still alive.
However, I started schooling in Bauchi state, and ended up here.
I have a Diploma in Islamic and Legal Studies from Aminu Kano College.
When I wanted to join Kannywood honestly, my parents did not object to it, and here I am today, a successful actress.
I have featured in A grade films, like Maidalili; Kubra; Juyayi; Kanin Miji; Blackberry and Ahalina; which I produced and also played the lead role.
My godfather in the industry is Salisu Mohammed Officer.
I admire Ali Nuhu; Adam Zango; Yakubu Mohammed; Halima Atete; and Sadik Sani Sadik; acting skills.
On the domestic side, I like cooking, I like pounded yam and chicken, I like chips and Kunun Tsamiya a lot.
You have featured in over 30 films and most of them are successful but you hardly play the lead role.
Why? Well, the truth is it is only in Ahalina, which is yet to be released that I was given the lead role.
Secondly it does not mean that I have not distinguished myself for people to call me by the name of characters or movies I have featured in, no, I think I am okay the way things are, though some people call me barrister.
I want to be a barrister; I already have a Diploma in Law.
So, how successful would you say you are? Well, at least I have a house of my own; the story is this one Lagos based television outfit, mounted billboards all over the country with my pictures and that of Sadik Sani Sadik without our permission.
So, we sued them and we got N10 million as damages.
After paying legal fees, we Kannywood actress, Aisha Abubakar Usman, has featured in over 30 movies and is now a producer in the industry.
In this interview with ALIYU ASIKIRA, she speaks on her career, how she hit it big after GOTV used her pictures and that of Sadik Sani Sadik on billboards without their permission, as well as plans to settle down with one of the big guys in the industry.
went home with N3 million each.
Financially I am doing fine.
My desire this year is to send my mother to the holy land to perform pilgrimage.
I also, intend to feature in good films, produce some and sponsor some myself.
You did not mention plans for marriage? Well, I have admirers in and outside Kannywood, a lot of guys have been toasting me but I am in a serious relationship and the guy is one of the big shots in Kannywood, I will not mention name.
As for when the marriage will take place I don’t know.
So, what is your idea of the man who you want to marry? Well, first he must be a Muslim, God fearing, and since it is God that created us, he can be tall, fair or black in complexion.
As you can see I am of average height, I will not mind if my man is tall, black, handsome but not too fat.
Whenever you travel out of Kano for films you normally stay in hotels; has any of your male colleagues tried to sneak into your room? Sneak into my room to do what? No, it has never happened.
Even the allegation that producers demand sex for roles has never happened to me.
The truth is whenever I am not on location I stay at home, and mind my business.
Is that why despite of the calibre of films you have featured in you are not popular? The issue of zipping down does not arise, because nobody has ever tried to harass me sexually.
By the way, why is it that the society sees us as if we are that cheap? There are thousands of young ladies out there staying in hotels as prostitutes, they sell their body to earn a living, yet nobody is tormenting them.
Acting to me is as decent as one can think of, some people prefer to be lawyers, journalists, administrators, politicians, labourers and the rest, we choose to act, so people should give us a break.
What turns you off? Well, I hate people that gossip or witch-hunt others.
I hate deception, cheating and double standard.
If you want to be my lover, don’t deceive me.
Tell me in black and white that you are poor or rich, I will welcome you.
I don’t have enemies in or outside the industry, at 22 I have a long way to go.
What would you say is your saddest moment in the industry? The recent death of famous Kannywood star, Rabilu Musa Ibro, is one of them.
He was easy going, jovial and a team player, the industry will miss him a lot.
The day he died I cried like little baby.
…And your happiest moment? When we won our case against GOTV, and went home with few millions, but honestly I distributed substantial part of the money to friends and colleagues.
Secondly, the day the film Ahalina will hit the market, I will celebrate it.
I have many happy moments to remember.
Why is it that most Kannywood actresses and actors marriages are not successful? Who said so? It is the way the society perceives us.
If you marry somebody that is making things difficult for you, why not call it quit? For God’s sake, many Kannywood actresses and actors got married and have stayed put.
People should wish us well, not the other way round.
If I finally settle down, trust me it will be everlasting.
As a matured woman don’t you at times feel like just having relationship with your male colleagues? Well, our society has changed a lot, especially with the advent of social media, but quote me, the highest a lady can go is to show the man a sign and if he understands then he can take up from there, even this I can do only if I want you for sincere friendship.
But for casual relationship, haba! Only a prostitute can do that and even in that case she will charge the man certain fee.
We are almost 100 per cent Muslims in Kannywood as such what people are expecting or thinking we are doing are all tissues of lies and bad belly talks.
You said earlier that Halima Atete is an actress you admire a lot, why? Her jealous posture, the way she deals or is dealing with women that they are sharing same husband with, I mean Kishiyoyinta, look at Dakin Amarya and the new version Dakin Amarya Ana Wata ga Wata, any woman that is not protective of her husband is to me like an animal.
Love is all about care, jealousy and vigilance, my husband is my property, but if another woman comes around then Zata ga kishi, she will see pepper, but that does not mean I will not welcome a second wife or marry a man that already has a wife
