Filmmaking Not Totally Accepted In The North –Ali Nuhu

Source: The Web

He is the RMD of Hausa movie genre. His name is Ali Nuhu, Kannywood actor who has broken into TV soaps and Nollywood, snapping up roles in Sitanda and Wetin Dey. Loved for his character portrayal and good looks, the University of Jos graduate has starred in most successful Hausa films. No wonder he has in his kitty the Afro Hollywood best actor trophy. Correspondent, Kemi Yesufu, spoke with him about the porn video scandal rocking Kannywood, his dreams and his family. Excerpt:

  You are one Hausa movie star that has been able to cross over to Nollywood. How were you able to do this? And why has other Kannywood actors not able to achieve same feat?

I think it is more about getting offers from Nollywood. They (actors) have not been getting jobs. But I am sure there are a couple of other Hausa actors who can do creditably in English movies.

  Apart from getting offers, what other reason can you give for getting roles in Nollywood movies?

I think it is because producers want to reach a wider audience and market. When you have actors from all over the country, then you can have access to the areas where these actors have large following.

  You have been appearing in a TV drama series, Wetin Dey. How do you combine the two, that is, TV and movie?

This whole thing is about arrangement; for instance, before I go on Wetin Dey set, I do availability check. I make sure the dates I give Wetin Dey producers do not clash with days I give other productions. If I am already committed, I tell the producers I am busy between this or that day and we can work out another day for Wetin Dey. I shuttle between the two.

 Kannywood has been under scrutiny lately over a sex video scandal – the deferment of film production and suspension of actors. Do you see Kannywood coming out better with these problems?

Kannywood will come out of this problem stronger, but then it is like some people in government have interest… Well, some of them say they are interested in sanitising and cleansing the acting profession in Kano State. But I feel there are some things we cannot do away with as filmmakers, we have to imbibe these values in our films. There is going to be a dialogue between various stakeholders and the government. I am sure everything would be back to normal after that and we will continue our work.

 During this crisis of sex video recordings the actress wife of your colleague, Sanni Danja, was dragged into the controversy with another video. Do you think there is resentment toward Kannywood actors?

In the North, according to Hausa culture, it is not everyone that has accepted filmmaking as a profession. The general notion people have about film people, especially actresses, is that they are loose girls. I think people still need to be educated that acting is make-believe. I hope the government can do some sort of public enlightenment so that people can understand what it takes to be a filmmaker and what it takes to be a film star. And except this is done, issues such as these cannot be fully resolved.

 What do you think Kannywood actors can do to win back the confidence and patronage of its fans after the sex video scandal?

You see it is not as if that porno scandal affected our fan base, it hasn’t. There was a time we had rumour that if you pick certain odd number on your mobile phone the person would die. After sometime people got over the rumour. No doubt, Kannywood is going through this phase, but I know with time it will pass.

 Some people down south are of the opinion that Hausa movies look more like Indian films. Do you see a situation when Kannywood films would appeal to other parts of the country?

What happens is that every society has a way of living, a way of doing things. So, most of the movies we make depicts the kind of society we live. If you want to shoot a movie with Hausa setting, you need people from the North to do that, likewise if you want to do a movie with a southern setting. I think people cannot understand Hausa movies because we don’t subtitle our movies, so they don’t know what we are saying. If we subtitle these movies they could relate with the messages we are trying to pass across. 

 How are you coping now that no production is going on in the Hausa film genre?

You know I do Nollywood productions and there is this contract I have with BBC Service Trust for Wetin Dey. I used to move between Wetin Dey, Nollywood and Kannywood, my schedule is too tight and work really tough. But now, my workload has decreased and I am concentrating on Nollywood and the BBC Service Trust project.

 How did you get into acting?

I would say I got into acting by chance. I saw a TV advert calling for audition, then I was in the university for an audition, which I latter attended and was selected for a role. That was the beginning for me.

 What has kept you going especially in a society you say is not totally disposed to filmmaking?

What is worth doing is worth doing well. I just feel that in as much as society has got something to say, I am contented with what I am doing, there is no going back for me. That is the philosophy I have been working with.

 How do you get into a role?

I look through the scripts and try to understand the theme of the movie and story line. I then take a look at my character and get to know what is expected of me. That is how I slip into my roles. 

How did you meet your wife? It must have been hard for you to make the choice of a life partner having been one of Kannywood’s hottest bachelors?

I met her in Kaduna, we met on set and things went on smoothly and we got married.

 How do you manage the attention you get from female fans?

It’s just a matter of understanding; you make them understand that you are a married man. I tell them I appreciate the way they love me, but there is a limit to what can come between us. 

 Which would you say has been your most challenging role since you started acting?

It’s the role I played in Sitanda, because I had to do a lot of physical training. Then, there is this film I am currently working on called Hamza. I have to go to the desert on an expedition; it’s an English language movie with Omotola as lead actress. 

 If you weren’t into acting, what do you think you would have been doing?

I would be in one office working.

 When you are not shooting movies, how do you spend your free time?

I spend time with my family. I take them out of town where we can chill out. 

 What are your hobbies?

Dancing and writing

 How do you see your future?

I hope to be an internationally acclaimed actor. I hope to excel, I hope to be someone who came from the North and not only made it within Nigeria but also a well-known actor in the entire globe. 

 What is your message to Hausa film fans amidst the controversy rocking Kannywood?

Our fans should be rest assured that the image being portrayed of actors is not the correct representation. They should assist us in praying as these are trying times, but I believe it will soon be over. 

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