Sadisu Abba Sawaba is one of the leading actors in the Hausa film industry. Best known as Sadi Sawaba, he is a graduate of Ambrose Alli University, where he obtained a degree in Business Administration. A classroom teacher, Sawaba says he was destined to be an actor in the Kannywood film industry, as he narrated in this interview with Blueprint while on shooting a movie in Jos, Plateau state, recently
Muhammad Tanko Shittu
Tell us about yourself.
My name is Sadisu Abba Sawaba. I was born and brought up in Jos. I attended St. Paul Primary School, Jenta, Jos, did my secondary school also in Jos, went to then Nuhu Bamalli Polytechnic in Kaduna state and Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University ( ATBU), Bauchi, then went to University of Jos, and lastly Ambrose Alli University in Edo state. I am now a class teacher at Kofar Kudu Primary School in Kaduna.
How did you ventured into film acting?
I see my being in film-acting as something destined, something naturally gifted to me by Allah. I was destined to become an actor, but then I had interest in it, having been watching American films right from when I was a kid. I never thought of one day becoming an actor in Kannywood, because I wasn’t watching Hausa movies, except comedy, but today destiny has made it for me to be and I have seen progress.
It all happened when one day a family friend, by name S.B. Mansur, invited me to participate in a Hausa film, which I did. Since then I developed interest in it, and that was how it all began and now I have seen what I have become. I thank God for that.
I first got the consent of my elder brother, who then said to me, “It is equally a good profession, but you should not go for the bad roles.” (laughs).
Did you study theatre arts?
No, I never studied theatre arts. After my secondary school I did a certificate in Accounting and Audit. Later on I did a diploma in Business Management, and also advance diploma in Psychology and lastly did a degree in Business Administration at the university – nothing related to theatre arts. A film is like football, so to say, it is not all learned in school, you could discover that most players haven’t gone deep in school, but they have the talent, and their potentials are discovered. That is similar to film. I didn’t go to any film institute.
As an actor how do you rate the performance of other actors and actresses?
Well, to me everybody is doing his or her best, because every individual has his or her gift, so they are really trying, all we need is just the support, we need financial backup and all that it takes to make the industry grow.
The actors are trying to give out their best out of the script, unlike in the early stage of the industry where you could see a lot of lapses, but today they are advancing. They strictly work with scripts, they are given the roles that they deserve.
In most of your films you acted in supporting role. How do you feel about directors giving you such a role rather than the lead role?
When I came in initially, just like any other person, I was introduced as a supporting actor, and I think that is ideal. The idea is to connect us with the experienced actors like Ali Nuhu, Adam Zango and others. So, your performance will now promote you from supporting to a lead actor.
To answer the question, what I can say is that in Kannywwod, we have a problem of giving lead roles to only famous actors and actresses, not considering the ability of the actor to deliver the best message out of the script. That’s because the producer wants to sell his movie and make profit.
I do appreciate the supporting role, because so many producers, directors, colleagues and even viewers were said to have been making good comment about my performances. I could recall that Ali Nuhu and Adam A. Zango always tell me after acting with them, “You have tried, just keep on!” That in itself is an encouragement.
What were the challenging moments for you in the industry?
Selfish interest from the side of the producers and even the directors. Like I said, if you want to promote someone you have to work with his performance. For instance, I am a teacher and I bring out the talent of each of my student by looking at his performances, but not just his popularity in the school or class.
It is always good to look at the ability of someone that can do it, not minding whether he or she is popular, just like in Hollywood, where your ability is first considered before even the popularity. Actors, producers and directors are helpers to each other.
Some people say Kannywood actors are paid peanuts compared to what you are putting in the movies.
To me, money is not a priority in the first instance, but patience is most important. One needs to understand that if I want to become this or that then I must pass through certain processes. I must have to endure.
More often there were speculations that actors and actresses undergo sexual harassment in the industry, most especially starters. Have you ever encountered such a thing?
Yes, I do experience so many things; many ladies came to me, as you know there are people who the moment you meet with them they like you, they love you and with love a lot of things happen. We are human beings, and it is not everybody that can control his sexual desire. This is applicable in the film industry and all centres of entertainment all over the world.
But a person who was trained with morality, someone responsible that knows exactly what has brought him or her into the industry will not allow himself or herself to go into that mess.
To me any person that cajoles an actress to have sex on the premise of introducing her in his film is a criminal, because such an act is a crime. To me doing that is like raping her, simply because she wants to act in a film.
But people should know that all these things are not rampant in the industry, as it is being widely speculated. We are not rascals as people think.
It is also said that most actors and actresses get into acting just for the popularity and to make friends. What is your take on this?
No, it isn’t true. We never get into acting simply because we want the world to see us, but we take it as a serious business. Lots of us are earning a living out of it, but not just for fashion.
Which is your most cherished film amongst all that you have acted in?
Actually I love all the films that I have acted in.
Who is your best director?
My best director whom I first worked with is Aminu Saira, and later on I met with Ali Gumzak, whom I take to be my boss because he likes me so much and I do respect him.
Do you have a manager who manages your transactions of film-acting?
No. But as I said I have a boss, whom I always seek advice from. Not that he negotiates any contract for me. There is nothing wrong in having someone manage your business, say maybe to negotiate or even sign a contract on your behalf.
Do you regret playing any negative role?
No. Whatever one acted upon is not real, it’s just entertainment. We are just sending messages. We are teaching people, and gradually the people understand that it is all imaginary.
