‘Acting is a profession not hubby’ Zakiyya Lawal

20-year-old Zakiyya Lawal is seen as one of the luckiest actress ever to join the Hausa movie industry, the Jos born actress landed her first lead role barely few years into the industry. In this interview with Kano Chronicle the actress talked about her sojourn in the industry among other issues. Excerpts:- Who is Zakiyya […]

20-year-old Zakiyya Lawal is seen as one of the luckiest actress ever to join the Hausa movie industry, the Jos born actress landed her first lead role barely few years into the industry. In this interview with Kano Chronicle the actress talked about her sojourn in the industry among other issues. Excerpts:-

Who is Zakiyya Lawal?

Zakiyya Lawal is nobody (laugh), actually Zakiyya is born and brought up in Plateau state, Jos to be precise. I did my primary school and part of my secondary school all in Jos. However, I completed my secondary school in Kano and presently I am undergoing a National Certificate of Education (NCE) program in Chemistry at College of Art Science and Remedial Studies (CAS) Kano. Similarly, I am an actress in the Hausa movie industry known as Kanywood.
You are an actress as well as a student. How do you manage two things at a time?
To say it is easy, will be an understatement. I wanted to have education to the highest level and also I wanted to explore the opportunity of having a carrier in acting. Therefore, I have to schedule myself in such a way that none of the two got neglected as a result of the other, I have been successfully managing both aspect without much ado but it is not easy honestly.
The good thing here is that the people I worked with in the movie industry have a clear understanding of my situation and they have been very cooperative and supportive to see that I have accomplished my desire as a student and as an actress.
How did you get into the movie industry?
I wanted to have a carrier in acting for a very long time and when the opportunity to achieve my wish presented itself I quickly grabbed it.
Thank God I was able to prove my potentials in acting which gave me an upper hand in becoming accepted to many producers and directors.
For the fact that I wanted a carrier in acting, I have been making researches in acting and also I have watched a lot of movies just to get myself acquainted to the art of acting. To me acting is a profession and not a hubby. Therefore when I was given opportunity to appear in my first movie I did my best to prove my worth and that has endeared me to many as a promising upcoming actress in the movie industry.
Can you remember the name of your first movie?
I can vividly remember it, it is titled ‘Kidan Kudi’. Then I acted in ‘Babbar Mace’ I also acted in the movie Babban Direba. These were movies that I acted some scenes. It was later that I got contracted to act as the lead role actress in a movie titled ‘Biki Bidiri’.
How did you feel for being selected as a lead character in that movie barely few years into your carrier as an actress?
It is true many actresses have been in the industry for many years and they were not lucky as I am to have gotten a lead role. However, to me I felt lucky and challenged because if I failed to deliver according to expectation then I don’t think that opportunity will be given to me again. Glory be to God, so far so good from all indication I have proven to be worthy of the character given to me and the directors I am working with on this movie have shown their confidence in my ability to interpret the role as expected.
To me the role was given to me not because I am better than the rest but because the producers have confidence in my capabilities. I have to extend my sincere gratitude to people like Sani Indomie and Al-Rahus for having confidence in me to deliver.
Did you experience any resistance from your parents when you decided to join the industry?
Actually I haven’t, because my parents believe acting is a profession and they believe in making a decent living through a decent profession. When I told them my decision they gave me their blessings and urged me to be a good ambassador of my religion, my culture and the family I came from.
Being new in the industry how would you describe your relationship with the big names in the industry?
You see one good thing about this industry is that everyone takes you as his or her relative. They gave us (the new faces) courage and motivation, and I always felt secured when I find myself in their midst. Our relationship is very cordial and motivating as well.
Are you into any relationship?
None that I can announce now (laughing).
What about the issue of marriage?
Marriage is very vital in every woman’s life and I will get married when it is time but for now as I have said earlier; I wouldn’t want to discuss my love life in public.