Often referred to as “Queen of Kannywood,” the Hausa language film industry in Nigeria, Rahama Sadau has found a home in the world of make-believe. Despite the fact that her parents did not like the idea of their daughter going into the movie industry, Sadau went on to star in the movie titled Gani ga Wane alongside Ali Nuhu, popular Kannywood actor and that was the moment that changed her life.
In this interview with Judith Audu’s Meet the Actor/ Filmmaker, she talks about her foray into the film industry, side businesses and plans to venture into Bollywood. Eelive.ng brings you excerpts from the Instagram Live Interview.
You used to be a dancer with your first public appearance in 2009. What happened to that?
It was back in secondary school. I like to dance and any form of entertainment. I have had that passion for a long time so I created my own dance group. It was a very small circle and it happened to be large one after that. I started a dance group in 2019. Later I joined the Indian dance group, Shadi Mubarak in Kaduna in 2011. I started acting from there.
Gani Gawani released 2013 was your first role, how was your experience?
It was so difficult for me because I was naïve and starting my first film with Ali Nuhu, the King of the North was a lot of pressure. I just didn’t want to disappoint everyone around me, the director, and the actors. It was like a dream come through.
How was it afterwards?
It became very smooth because I had coaching and mentorship from the king (Ali Nuhu) and other actors in the industry. Everything was just going cool.
You started acting at age 19/20, how did your parents allow?
It wasn’t easy because I was doing my National diploma in school when I met Ali Nuhu and my mother didn’t agree to it but my dad was cool. We had to go back and forth. I had to make promises to my mom that whatever she was thinking wasn’t going to happen. It took us two years and she agreed and said I would be on trial because she didn’t believe in what I was going into. She gave us three months to see what will happen. Later I announced my first anniversary to her.
What was her reaction when she saw you on screen?
My first movie she saw was Wale Adenuga’s Super Story and she just called me with the character’s name and she was like ‘Nice one.’ Till today I have never watched a movie with my mom, she would rather watch with my sisters but not me. I don’t know why.
When MOPPAN banned you, how did you cope psychologically?
When the sanction came, I wasn’t in Nigeria. I didn’t believe what was happening at that time happened. When I came back, I was worried about my mom, if she would wake up one day and say ‘Rahama you are done, no more entertainment.’ Then I am done. I was so scared when I met my mom. She was so angry and upset because she didn’t want me in the entertainment industry because of what the society thinks and about women in the Northern part of Nigeria and religious practices.
When I showed her the video, I thought it was the end for me because that was what mattered the most. The other things that were happening in the North and Nigeria did not bother me. My mom was the only person that bothered me. My mom said ‘They said you hugged and kissed him, why did you delete that part?’ I told her I didn’t do it. She was like ‘You need to calm down; this is the beginning of your career. Everything you do in life comes with challenges and sacrifices and how you handle this situation is up to you. Keep your head low and believe in yourself.’ I remember that every day, because I know how hard it was for her to allow me act. But she motivated me made me do better.
How did it feel when you got a message from Akon at that time?
It was on Twitter. I had to check his handle again and I saw the verified sign. I couldn’t believe it. That tweet changed my life completely. I was so excited because I never expected for once that I was going to act alongside Akon, let alone see him. I never dreamt of that. After my ban, I said ‘there are lots of opportunities for you Rahama, be yourself.’
How was the transition from Kannywood to Nollywood?
It was easy because they are like brother and sister. We have similarities in story and production. It was cool and smooth. There wasn’t any difficulty.
Have you ever rejected scripts due to your religion?
Yes, once or twice. I appreciate the Nollywood producers and directors because now it is like there are certain roles they have attributed to me. They are already familiar with the kind of roles to give me.
What made you start your production company?
It started in 2017. After we shot Rariya in 2016, I felt ‘Why not do something different from what you’ve been doing? Why not produce a movie. You have all it takes, producers and writers.’ I like women being on set or scripting something. When we did Rariya, it wasn’t profitable; we did it out of passion. It was cool. I loved it but it was hard, Going from acting to producing was a completely different thing again. It was me as a producer waking up by 4am or 5am. So I said I will never be late to set again as an actor. It was a great feeling.
The film was recorded as the first Kannywood movie to be screened in lots of cinemas. How did that happen?
When we made the film, we didn’t think of taking it to the cinemas but we had couple of contacts and I thought we could push it. I didn’t think we could take it to Ibadan because it’s not our area but the distribution company told us to give it a try. We did it and it was screened in Lagos, Ibadan, Abuja, Kano; it was a beautiful experience.
How did you feel getting support from the industry and fans?
I felt happy and proud that people came out to support me as a producer and actor. It was a great feeling because not all producers get that opportunity. I appreciate the support and encouragement that came out from the industry.
That same year you made history by being the first Hausa actress to be rated among the top Nigerian celebrity…
I was never prepared for it, it caught me unawares.
What are you doing differently in your productions?
The previous one pushed me to do more because we couldn’t believe the crowd that we saw, more than 5,000 viewers from the Kano cinema alone. It was massive, it gave me the green light to do more and push more. We are planning something big when this crisis is over.
How do you manage acting and producing along with your businesses?
It was difficult at first. Since I joined the entertainment industry, I thought about starting something different from my field. I started the salon business and it later expanded to a lipstick brand, The Sado Branded Lipstick which is doing very good in the North right now. My sisters contributed a lot to the expansion. In my house, we have business minded people, a chef and others.
What role has challenged you the most?
That would be Tattoo, when I first saw the script, I wasn’t sure. Even though I believe that an actor is an actor regardless of your belief. But playing a practicing nurse? I was really excited because it was completely different from what I have been doing, different from singing and dancing. It challenged me, seeing talented actors on set like Gabriel Afolayan.
Is there any actor you would like to work with?
I would like to work with all the actors in Bollywood. Everybody in Nollywood, I believe everybody has one thing or the other to contribute, especially the legends. I am always happy when I come on set and see different faces, it motivates me.
How did you learn Hindu?
Movies, from the king and communication makes you better.
Have you tried to reach out to the Bollywood film industry?
Yes, on twitter and I visited some of their actors when I went to India. I like Priyanka Chopra, so far there has been no contact with her.
You are involved in humanitarian work with your Ray of Hope organization, how did it start?
It started since 2014. When we started, there was a feeling of giving back to the society regardless of what you have. That’s the work we have been doing since 2014 till now. It has been good.
What is your biggest challenge so far as a producer?
The feeling of being at the top. To give that certain standard and to be the best; that’s my biggest challenge. Seeing something that is bigger than me that I have to achieve.
Has it been easy to get funds as a producer?
So far, in Kannywood most of we producers are individual film makers. We do not get funds from companies or people. We fund the movies ourselves. The distribution is quite smooth and visible because we have distribution companies and the cinemas willing to show our movies. The distribution is good, as for the funding, no. The only challenge we have in the North is lack of cinemas.
What is your dream role?
To act in an action film.
Is singing and dancing a criterion to act in Kannywood?
Singing and dancing plays an important role in the industry. Our viewers like seeing us sing and dance. We always look up to Bollywood. We have similarities in culture and sometimes stories. I mime, I don’t sing but I enjoy dancing.
How have you been able to cope with the way women are perceived in the society?
Especially from this angle, there is always this ‘I have a say in your life’ here. It is a universal thing but I don’t believe it. Regardless of what you do, you can’t be liked by everyone. There is a certain acceptance going on in the North and world about how women are being seen generally. There are lots of potentials you can find in a woman besides just being a woman.
How does it feel now that everybody wants to shot movies in the North?
There are lots of potentials in the North, people are coming to film here, there are lots of untapped opportunities that people can get in the North.
What have you learnt about being a celebrity?
That you don’t get to live your life like everybody does. You don’t have your freedom. The fact that I make people smile makes me happy.