Zainab Muhammad Sani is a 25 year old actress from Gombe state. She joined Kannywood around 2013 and has featured in over 10 successful films. Some of the films include, ‘Barauniya’ and ‘Ba’asi’. Along the line, Zainab registered her film production outfit and an NGO through which she intends to assist the less privilege children in the society. In this interview with ALIYU ASKIRA, she speaks on her life, marriage, sex for role, future projects and several other issues.
Who is Zainab Muhammad Sani and how did you get yourself into acting?
Well, first of all, I want to tell you that I am a 25 year old Fulani single lady from Gombe state. My parents relocated to Kano in 2012 after I finished my Primary school in Gombe state. I later continued with my education in Kano state and obtained a diploma in Printing Technology. I am planning to go back to the University.
How I got into acting, first I have long interest in acting, above all, my parents are still alive and I have their consent. So in 2013 I heard an announcement by Filaps that they are organizing a basic course for actors and actresses in Kano. I later contacted them and attended the Course and that was where I met Salisu Muhammad Officer. Thereafter, I started acting and so far I featured in over 10 films which include ‘Ba’asi’ and ‘Barauniya’. But I have been facing lots of challenges here actually. I am not getting enough films, in fact that was why I decided to set up my own production company, Zafma Creative Productions. Somebody promised to finance the Company. I also have an NGO: Zainab Muhammad Sani Education for Female Children Foundation.
Why are you not getting good films to feature in?
The truth is, for one to be successful, at times one has to compromise one’s body but so far, nobody has come out to ask me directly about that. But of course I can understand their body languages. Especially considering the fact that I started acting since 2013 and I featured in only 10 films. There are those who featured in more than 20 films in a matter of a year. So you will understand that along the line, something is missing but already, I am into a serious relationship with a singer, entertainer, and music composer, and we are planning to get married very soon. So because I don’t want to miss this opportunity, I can’t afford to sleep around with producers simply because I want to be a star over-night.
Why do you want to marry from Kannywood?
Well, I want somebody who will possibly allow me to continue acting or producing films. You know the job engage most of our time, always travelling. If you marry somebody outside the industry, he may not understand you. In any case, nobody outside the industry has come out to ask for my hand in marriage. so I am praying that after our marriage, he will allow me to continue with what I am doing because he is part of the Industry.
Allegedly, Hausa film actors and actresses hardly make successes of their marriages. If you settle down will you be in marriage for life?
Firstly, I trust myself 100%, secondly, I am a muslim from a very good family: I was trained to be a good woman by my parents and I don’t intend to disappoint them, that is why I told you am still relatively unknown in the industry. If I want to play around you know that I am beautiful by all standards and by now, I will be a proud owner of houses, cars, jeweleries and other good things of life but I choose to be decent and make it through hard work. Of course in a bid industry like this, you cannot stop people from asking you for romance or anything at all. But we in the industry know ourselves very well. In fact because of my believe in what I am doing, if I get married and have children I will allow then to join the industry.about whether we stay in marriage or not, divorce happens on daily basis in all professions so ours cannot be an exception.
Tell us actors and actresses that you admire most in the industry
Among men, I admire the acting skills of Ali Nuhu, Adam Zango and host of others. Ali Nuhu in particular is very inspiring and has maintained his famous position in the industry for years. He has also assisted in building the career of many Hausa film actors and actresses, that is why today he is respected in the industry. As for Adam Zango, he likes to produce very inspiring religious films, he also acts with a passion, he has very interesting dancing skills and known to be friendly and simple by those close to him. On the female side, I always watch Jamila Nuhu’s films religiously because she can interpret any role given to her. Watch her in ‘Sipili’ and ‘Sipiluwa’, watch her in ‘Maula’, in fact Jamila Nuhu is an award-winning actress anytime anywhere and I want to be like her. Those I did not mention should bear with me because if you are to ask them may be they too may not mention me as those they admire their acting skills. Basically, I am happy with what is happening around me in the industry negatively or positively but I can never accept a role in Nollywood because I cannot kiss or hug in public as a Muslim. Remember this has caused a problem for one of us recently.
You mentioned Ali Nuhu and Adam Zango as those you admired, if they ask you for a date or marriage will you accept the offer?
Don’t put me in trouble, both of them are married though they can marry more than one wives. What I said is I admired their professional skills, but of course no lady will reject an offer from them for a marriage or date, both of them are popular, famous, handsome and also rich. But I have never thought along that line, I respect them as my senior colleagues in the Industry. I want them to be happy in life with their family.
How could you give a professional advice to the entire industry?
If I am given the chance to reorganize Kannywood, I will advice that producers should avoid using one actor or actress in many films, because there are other good actors and actresses around, they should as well encourage the upcoming ones. The industry today has good leaders even artist fee has increased and actors and actresses now get good pay through acting. What I hate is gossip and bad belle people prefer to look at the negative side of us than the positive side. After all, go to higher institutions you will see ladies dressing half naked. We also have women that use their body to make a living. So we are trying our best to educate people for them to understand us.
The truth is, for one to be successful as an actress, at times one has to compromise one’s body. But so far, nobody has come out to ask me directly about that. Of course I can understand their body languages, especially considering the fact that I started acting since 2013 and have featured in only 10 films. There are those who featured in more than 20 films in a matter of a year
