Maryam Isah, 27, is one of the cutest and prettiest new faces in the industry, whose beauty and remarkable thespian disposition can make a good movie and attract huge sales. Maryam, who joined Kannywood about a year ago, is tall, friendly and fluent in both English and Hausa languages. She is also half-sister to former Kannywood actress, Mansura Isah, the wife of Kannywood and Nollywood actor and producer, Sani Danja. In this interview with ALIYU ASKIRA, Maryam opens up on how she was lured into acting as well as why she can’t act in Nollywood.
Let’s meet you, Maryam Isah
Thanks for having me. It’s my pleasure. I read Blueprint Newspapers especially on Mondays when you normally feature Kannywood activities. My Name as you rightly said is Maryam Isah, Mansura Isah’s half sister. I was born and bred in Kano. I attended both my primary and secondary schools in Kano State. I am now a student of Sa’adatu Rimi College of Education Kumbotsho, Kano. I am also into business.
How did you find yourself into the industry?
In actual fact, Mansura with her husband, Sani Danja are the ones that convinced me to join Kannywood. They have both discovered that I have all it takes to be a successful actress. I am not only close to Mansura, am also proud of her because she has been to defy the notion that Kannywood actresses don’t make success of their marriages but my sister has proved them wrong by making success of her marriage.
How long have you been acting?
I joined the industry just about a year ago. And I have been having a smooth ride ever since courtesy of the connections I have. Like I told you, my brother in-law, Sani Danja is a successful actor, producer in the industry and a business man, including politics. And my half sister Mansura Isah has also played a prominent role in Kannywood before she got married; her children are also already acting. I think that is why I did not find it difficult to fit in. Honesty, I can’t end up without saying that I am very grateful to my producers, directors and my colleagues – actors and actresses.
How many films have you had to your credit so far?
Already, I have several films to my credit, but mostly in supporting roles. However, we are now shooting one film called: ‘Kukan Kurciya’, by Sani Katsina, the Chief Executive of Rite Time Multimedia. . I feature prominently in the film, and it was challenging because it is a series, one of its kinds in Kannywood.
How about marriage, are you thinking of settling down?
Yes, I have boyfriends and people that want me to be their wife. Of course if I get the right man that will give me peace and love I will marry him, even though I am currently a student of Sa’adatu Rimi College of Education, Kano.
Will you give up acting completely in that case?
Of course yes. Why not? I can even stay in Kulle – Purdah. In as much as that will make him happy. I can do anything to make my husband happy because I want to make paradise.
Who are your favorites in the industry?
One of my favourites is Mansura Isah. She is more than a sister to me because she helps me a lot by giving me quality advices that made me succeed. In that, she knows what I can do and what I cannot. Truth is Kannywood is remarkably growing. We now have very good actors and actresses in the industry. Unlike before, people look at the industry as where one can come and play drama or mess oneself up around. But what we have today is a decent industry where one can make good money, fame and visit several places and later settle down and have children. Howeer, admittedly, in every profession you will have bad eggs and good people, same also here in Kannywood, of which I am happy to be a member.
Today, wherever I go people give me warm reception, because I have minded my business and appeared in decent films. I am proud that I did not attract any scandal to my name.
Tell us your saddest and happiest moments in Kannywood
Of course I have several good moments to tell because Kannywood industry has made me who I am today. Whenever I meet people and they tell me that am a very good actress, I always feel happy, and whenever I am with my colleagues and hear them talking good of me I also treasure that moments. And saddest moments are when we have lost people like Aisha Dan Kano, Rabilu Musa Ibro and many others that one was opportune to work with. When you hear that these set of people are no more, of course you will feel sad. These are some things that happened which made me sad.
What is your relationship like with Sani Danja in the industry, considering that his wife is your sister?
We have a very cordial relationship as his in-law and on professional level; he is understanding and has been of great help to me. If tomorrow for example a producer calls me and asks me to appear in a film with Sani Danja as his wife, I will do. After all what you watch in a film is not real. We only act out a script.
Can you act in Nollywood?
First off, as a female Muslim, who was born and bred in Kano that is predominately populated by Muslims, I cannot accept any role that goes against Islamic tenets.
For example, I cannot accept any script or role that I would be required to appear in a tight fitting, exposing my body. That is why in spite of many offers with some of them very attractive I refused to play some dirty roles or act in Nollywood.
Though, some of my colleagues have even appeared in films produced in Ghana with some of them openly kissing their male counterparts, this has never impressed me because I take acting to be an avenue where one can entertain and create awareness, not to showcase his or her endowed body qualities.
