Maryam Ibrahim Hotoro, popularly known as Maryam Hotoro, is a star in Kannywood. She’s also a staff of the well-known channel, Arewa 24. Maryam is a professional translator and video voice editor. In this exclusive interview with IBRAHIM HAMISU in Kano, she speaks a lot about her personal life, and many more.
Background
My name is Maryam Ibrahim Hotoro, popularly known as Maryam Hotoro. I was born in Kano, at Katsina Road. I had my primary education there and attended GGC Dala for my secondary education. Afterward, I proceeded to the Federal College of Education (FCE) Kano and completed my educational journey there. Upon the completion of my studies, I joined the film industry.
What is your relationship with the name Hotoro attached to your name?
As I mentioned earlier, I was born at Katsina Road, but we later relocated to Hotoro. I was brought up at Hotoro; that’s why that name is attached to my name.
Coming back to films, how many films have you featured in so far?
I did not actually feature in many films because I am more specialised in voice dubbing, but I was featured in some films like Daɗin Kowa, Tsangayar Malam, and Rumfar Mai Shayi.
When exactly did you join Kannywood?
Well, I have already spent eight years or so in Kannywood.
What about voice dubbing?
I have spent almost 16 years in that profession.
That has been a long while; how did you start the job?
Well, I have had a passion for voice dubbing for a long time, since I’ve started with music. I’m a singer even though I did not become popular in that profession, I’m still grateful to Allah. It was from there I was introduced to the voicing field.
Voice dubbing, it is said, requires excessive skills; how do you do it?
What many people do not understand about voice-over is that the job is segmented into parts, meaning different departments. When content is bought, English content, Indian or Arabic, for example, it will be taken to the translation department. After the translation, it will be forwarded to the dubbing department. Voices that will be suitable to the work will be selected and dubbing will take place afterwards.
In which particular film did you start dubbing?
It was actually a Chinese film whose name I can’t recall now. Those I’ve started with at Arewa 24 are many because all the cartoons and movies you will watch on Arewa 24 channels, both old and new, contain my voice. Regarding Indian movies, we worked on Kundali Bagiya, Sufni Suhani, and Tarkon Ƙauna. We also worked on the Turkish series and I am part of almost every dubbed film you watch on Arewa 24 channel.