Why ‘Lado and Mati’ is one of my best, successful films – Yaseen Auwal

Yaseen Auwal is one of the fast rising film directors in the Kannywood industry. Born in Kano state, Auwal has a degree in Mass Communications from Bayero University, Kano and is presently working with Kano state Government in the office of Head of Service. Because of an interest he developed long time ago to be a film producer, Auwal joined the famous industry and has since become a hot cake being sought after by bigger producers. In this interview with ALIYU ASKIRA in Kano, Auwal speaks on sundary issues, including his role as a director, his challenges and problems confronting the industry as a whole.

Tell us specifically why you prefer to direct films rather than being on the screen, especially as you look handsome and your face can sell movies?
Firstly, before I say anything, let me thank the likes of Ishaq Sidi Ishaq who taught me techniques of directing films. Well, I prefer to direct films because of some limitations I feel I would be subjected to as an actor. For example, as an actor, I would only be interpreting scripts but as a director, once I read your scripts I will be able to advise you further on ethics, responsible actors and actresses to use, including the costume they will wear. This enables me to bring discipline and sanity into the industry.

Your film ‘Mati da Lado’ has so successfully educated the people about the nitty-gritty of Islamic Religion. People would want to know more about the reason for producing such a film, especially as films of such kind hardly make it in the market.
The film was a continuation of another film, ‘Wani Gari’ and in ‘Wani Gari’ we tried to educate people on some vices that are commonly over-looked in our society. And when ‘Wani Gari’ became successful, we later produced ‘Mati da Lado’ and now we are working on ‘Mati a Zazzau’. Even though, in some cases, we change the actors and actresses but we try to retain the main characters so that people would not lose interest in the film. After ‘Mati da Lado’, which we produced in Jos, one Islamic Scholar called me and pointed out some mistakes we made in the film that touches on religion and I quickly realized that it is true.

These days pretty ladies all over the North are trooping into Kannywood for one role or the other and reportedly, some are even prepared to compromise their body for a role, how do you cope with this?
First of all, I am a Muslim from a humble family. I am married to a woman I love. And let me tell you there is no way you will be going after these girls that people would not know. But generally as a person, I have no time to flirt. I combine my civil service work with directing. And I am always busy travelling from one place to the other just to be a successful person in life. So I have no time to play around. My principle is, once you are good I will give you a role. After the work, we pay you and that is the end, maybe we might not even see until another work comes up. I directed several films that I have even lost count of. However, go and ask my professional colleagues they will tell you the type of person I am.

These days, Kannywood do produce films that do attract condemnations from the society especially from Ulamaas, that actresses use tight or transparent cutomes to expose their body, are you worried?
Well, I think it is a good idea that whenever we produce a film that is not according to the norms of our society, we get condemned for it. However, as far as am concerned, I never directed a film that Kano State Censorship Board had reason to quarrel with it. I told you earlier that I always have it at the back of my mind that I am a Northerner, a Muslim and a family man. I will not do anything that will embarrass my religion, my family and the society am representing.

Can you tell us of some of the actors and actresses you enjoy working with?
Don’t put me in trouble, please. We have plenty respected and responsible actors and actresses in the industry, and as such, I cannot mention names. About the people refusing to marry from Kannywood, please they should go and watch the film ‘Yar’ Film’ which Hafsat Idris played the lead role, some of us here are vast in religious knowledge and were properly brought up. Rahama Hassan has just married a successful business man from Zaria. He was former adviser to vice president Namadi Sambo and now he is an adviser with Taraba State Governor,l. We also have several female actresses that got married and stay put. So we are not what people are thinking of us. Some still have the impression that we are here to mess around, we have passed that stage now.Kannywood is growing fast with time, and there is lot of money to be made here. About politics I will not join politics to contest for an elective office but I have a politician that I admire, a very popular politician but don’t ask me his name.