Amina Meenat Yola is a fast-rising Kannywood star that is determined to touch the sky as far as acting is concerned. Surprisingly, the Ibadan-born-and-bred Meenat has her origin in Yola, Adamawa state. Her fi rst fi lms are: “WANI LOKACI”, “WANI KAULI”, “GIDAN KITSO”, “SAMUN DUNIYA”, “MATAR BAHAUSHE” and “TUGGU” which is her favourite. In this interview with ALIYU ASKIRA in Kano, Meenat talks about her inspiration, fame and future as well as her plans for the famous Hausa fi lm industry.
Could you tell us a bit about your life and how you joined Kannywood? Well, I was born and brought up in Ibadan, Oyo State. I speak Yoruba, Fulani, Hausa, and English fl uently. I did my primary and secondary schools in Oyo State, When my father who is a military man retired from service, about 4 years ago, we then relocated to Yola, my state of Origin. About how I started acting, actually,
I have been watching Kannywood fi lms for a long time Meenat Meenat Amina Meenat Yola is a fast-rising Kannywood star that is determined to touch the sky as far as acting is concerned. Surprisingly, the Ibadan-born-and-bred Meenat has her origin in Yola, Adamawa state. Her fi rst fi lms are: “WANI LOKACI”, “WANI KAULI”, “GIDAN KITSO”, “SAMUN DUNIYA”, “MATAR BAHAUSHE” and “TUGGU” which is her favourite. In this interview with ALIYU ASKIRA in Kano, Meenat talks about her inspiration, fame and future as well as her plans for the famous Hausa fi lm industry. now. I therefore developed interest to be an actress.
I am now an upcoming star in Kannywood. I did not stress myself too much before I was given a role to play in my fi rst fi lm “WANI LOKACI” directed by Ibrahim Bala. So, now that you have almost achieved your ambition of becoming a Kannywood star, what is next? Well, I think am still young in the industry and still have a long way to go. Th ere are are a lot of people Like us on: facebook: blueprint.ng twitter: @blueprintngr instagram: @blueprintNigeria in the industry that have spent a lot of years in the industry and are not thinking of leaving.
Also, some famous actresses got married along the line and later returned when their marriage collapsed. What I am trying to say here is that I can’t tell how long I will stay here, but the truth is if I get somebody that loves me sincerely, I will settle down. Perhaps there may be some actors and actresses in ths industry that you admire. Now that you are part and parcel in the industry, how do you relate with them?
One, I found them to be friendly and accommodating. Secondly, I can’t believe the fact that today, the way I used to watch these television personalities is the same way people are watching me. Most importantly, today I see most of these powerful actors and actresses on a daily basis. When we are on locations, we eat and relate very well together, this is something of a joy to me.
And one thing I like about acting is that once you get a script of a coming-up fi lm that you will feature in, the producer or whoever will fi nance the fi lm will pay you up-front. You don’t have to stay like civil servants for 30 days or more before you get your pay. In fact, it is only in Kannywood and other entertainment industries that you collect your pay before you even start shooting the fi lm, unlike if one is to be a civil servant, where you will work for 30 days before you get your salary.
Tell us your saddest moment since you came down to Kano to act in Kannywood Saddest? Honestly none. But if you ask about my happiest moment, I would say it was the day I was called to come and feature in a fi lm called “TUGGU”. Even though I am relatively young in the industry, I was off ered to play a lead-role in the fi lm and honestly, I did my best. I did not disappoint myself or the producer and the director off course. However, those who are older than me in the industry may feel bitter, but all the same, I don’t care.
I did not bother to notice that. I feel it is my destiny. And after “TUGGU”, I got off ers in many other high budget fi lms that are yet to be released. Society often perceive actresses and actors as wayward and people that have no future. Are you not worried by this? On the contrary, when I joined Kannywood, I discovered that all the negative stories I have been hearing about those in the industry are not true.
I featured in several fi lms without anybody harassing me sexually or otherwise. Today in Kannywood, we have several ladies that got married and stay put. We also have many actors that even met their wives within the industry and their marriage is still in tact. Th e issue is our life on stage is diff erent from our real lives. People should come closer to us and know that we are not what they are thinking of us.
Today, the industry has grown so big that you see actors and actresses building chains of houses, riding expensive cars, opening businesses here and there and some of them even set up NGOs to assist the lessprivileged. I therefore see no reason why the society should still be thinking that we are useless people. they watch our fi lms and enjoy it, they listen to our songs, they come to us for relationships and what have you, yet they will go behind us and talk rubbish? Honestly I am not bothered. Finally, tell us your ultimate ambition in Kannywood. Also, after you might have settled down and have children, will you allow them to join Kannywood?
My ultimate ambition is to be an A-Grade actress like my other colleagues here. And talking about my children, that will be the decision of their father. If he allows them to act after they might have fi nished their Islamic and Western Education, I will have no quarrel with that. As for me, I can marry from Kannywood and if I settle down, I can decide to be a producer or director if possible. It is also my desire to go back to school and obtain a University Degree.
