Marriage is the best thing but it’s not my priority now – Rukayya Gwani Usman

Rukayya Gwani Usman was born in Maiduguri, Borno state 25 years ago. She attended her Primary and Secondary Schools all in Maiduguri, before proceeding to Ramat Polytechnic and obtained a Diploma. Though she has lot of admirers in and outside Kannywood, in this interview with ALIYU ASKIRA in her Manager’s office, A.G. Bashir, Thursday in Kano, Rukayya reveals that marriage is not her priority for now, noting that her priority now is to be a successful star like Aisha Aliyu Tsamiya, Jamila Nagudu, Halima Atete, Fati Washa, Nafisa Abdullahi and host of other successful female stars in Kannywood. According to her, she joined the Hausa Film Industry to be successful and to make good money, adding that she will never accept sex for role from any quarters.      

You are relatively new in the industry, tell us your first experience before the camera?
Honestly it was not easy, you have to read and know your script off-hand before shooting, then the excitement of meeting actors and actresses that we used to watch in films. Here you are: Face to face with the likes of Ali Nuhu, Nafisa Abdullahi, Halima Atete, Yakubu Mohammed, Adam Zango Jamila Nagudu, Fati Washa and Aisha Aliyu Tsamiya. It was real fun for me, but as for my first appearance before the camera, well I was nervous, shy and intimidated but I had quickly overcome all that.

You are too shy and not outspoken why did you chose to be an actress?
Well as a woman and a Muslim from a disciplined home what do you expect of me, you want to see me jumping and cracking jokes here and there or bother with what is not my business? Remember I told you I have Diploma in Law, my intention is to be a full barrister. Lawyers argue or talk only in courts, but outside they are reserved and well cultured.

You said you are 25 years old and from decent family. Fine, how about marriage?
Well it can come at anytime, when God destined it to happen. Right now I have lots of admirers in and outside Kannywood people are toasting me here and there but quote me I don’t even have a serious boyfriend, I mean I am not into any serious relationship.

Do you have actors or actresses that you look up to?
Yes, they are many: Ali Nuhu, Yakubu Mohammed, Adam A. Zango, late Ibro, Sani Danja. On the female side I admire Halima Atete, Nafisa Abdullahi, Jamila Nagudu, Fati Washa, Rahama Sadau, they are many. I also admire the role I played in ‘Matangida’ and ‘Daga Murna’. Talking about Halima Atete, I think she is exceptional, especially when she plays the role of a house wife. Take the case of ‘Dakin Amarya’, ‘Wata Hudu’ and ‘Ana Wata ga Wata’. Any movie she casts alongside Ali Nuhu sells like fire.

Talking about ‘Daga Murna’, can you as married woman act the way you did in the film?    
Well, the focus of the film was that a birthday event of Halima Atete, that suppose to be merry making landed those who turned up at the occasion into big trouble, because Ali Nuhu’s N10 Million was stolen in the house. Ali Nuhu was Atete’s husband in the film. Now my own case was that I went to the event without my husband’s permission and when we were taken to police station and locked up I insisted that instead of me to give them my husband’s number I prefer to remain in detention as long as possible.

What are your plans this year 2015 in the industry?
To feature in high budget films, to avoid any scandal and if God helps me I will also produce my own films. I would want also to visit places like Kaduna, Lagos, Jos and even travel outside the country to shoot films.

When I came in here I overheard somebody saying beautiful and decent ladies like you should not be in Kannywood, what is your opinion about it?
I told you earlier that I have a Diploma in law and if possible want to go back to school, and finish my studies, but it is a matter of choice. If I am beautiful and not supposed to be here, are they saying Kannywood is for ugly girls?

We have plenty beautiful girls in kannywood like Halima Atete, Nafisa Abdullahi, Jamila Nagudu, Maryam Gidado, Fati Washa, they are many. I will be here as long as possible and make success of my career, if I get husband either in or outside Kannywood, I will settle down, God’s choice is the best. And as for my children, whenever I settle down and have them I will allow them to join Kannywood, why not if their father will not object but they must go to school first.

With your exposure and freedom to move anywhere of your choice if you marry a person that wants you to stay in Kulle (confinement) what will you do?
You see, that is why at times it is risky to jump into marriage without understanding each other’s feelings and ways of living. As you know we have large fans, somebody would see us and come to us for marriage, when you consented and marry him and then the man wakes up one day for one reason or the other put you in Kulle – which you will not be acting again to support yourself and your family. Haba! The world has changed and if the marriage breaks up people would say we don’t make use of our marriages, that is why I am not in a hurry to settle down but if it is the wish of God that in the next few months I will settle down so be it. Marriage is the best thing for any woman, where you will legally bear children and have time to take care of your family and worship your God.

Lets come to the issue of Stardom, some of you female actresses make it fast in the industry while others struggle for years yet they are nowhere near success. Why?
Well, it is not always true, especially in Kannywood. For one to make it fast you have to be patient, understanding and go by the rules.

By all standards you are a pretty lady and your face and beauty can sell any film, why are you still struggling?
We are saying the same thing in any society or profession there are bad eggs. We have decent people here and bad ones, if you are thinking I should use my body to be successful then that is not my character, but quote me by the grace of God I will be successful I am only one year old here, give me time.

There is this belief that any actress that did not feature in a film alongside Ali Nuhu can hardly make it. Why can’t you play your card right since you, Ali Nuhu, Atete are all from Borno?
I featured in some films with Ali Nuhu, though I was not the lead actress, but I am sure I am not doing badly, we look up to people like Ali Nuhu to have a good career. Ali Nuhu is a role model of many of us here.

What do you hate in life?
I hate gossip that is why when I am not on location, I am always home, expect more of me tell my fans I will that I will.