‘As actors, we have responsibilities to society’
What can you tell us of your background?I was born in Zaria of Kaduna State where I did all my conventional studies up to tertiary level where I went to Ahmadu Bello University. After my graduation, I took up a job with a photo laboratory company as an account clerk, and later got myself trained […]
What can you tell us of your background?
I was born in Zaria of Kaduna State where I did all my conventional studies up to tertiary level where I went to Ahmadu Bello University. After my graduation, I took up a job with a photo laboratory company as an account clerk, and later got myself trained in all aspect of the profession to become a professional in photo laboratory business; I worked in about three states in Nigeria before the company I worked for was closed down. I had risen from account clerk in the company to the level of a manager of that same company.
After the closure of the company, I became jobless. While growing up I was very good at two things: I am a very good footballer and I take my studies very serious. Initially, people thought I am going to make a living through football. They see me as a potential Super Eagles player, but sadly I got injured in a football match and that marked the end of my dream and that of the people around me.
So how did you get into acting?
As I have mentioned earlier, the company I worked for was closed and being jobless got me thinking; I then remembered how I used to get involved in the drama group while in school and I said to myself; “If you made an impact then while you were doing it for fun, you can still do it now for a more concrete reason.”
Right then, I resolved to make a living through the movies. I gave myself the stage name Gundura which I got when I was an undergraduate due to my stubbornness and it took me two months to create a unique voice that will suit the character of Gundura. I produced my first movie titled Gundura, which shot me to limelight within a short period.
I started my movie carrier in Zaria and when it became apparent that the nerve of the industry is Kano, I had to temporarily relocate to Kano where I stayed for a year. I believe I am the grand benefactor of Kannywood.
What do you mean by a grand benefactor of Kannywood?
Yes I am the grand benefactor of Kannywood. You see, ever since I joined the industry I have never looked back, it has been a success story all through to this moment that I speak to you. However, the major reason why I said so is that throughout my acting career, I was contracted to do a certain job by Lawal Aliyu Academy, which I did. The proprietor of the school was so happy that my children were given eight-year scholarship to study from primary to secondary level in that school. This has been one of my greatest moments as an actor.
I strongly believe that education is the greatest asset one can leave to his offspring and anybody who offers to help you out with that for the simple fact that you are an actor signifies that you have done well to better other people’s lives.
How would you compare the industry of yesterday and that of today?
Well, in terms of the equipment, the industry has really moved forward because the quality of pictures and that of sound is more standard compared to years back. Also the nature of the stories has also changed to more matured stories.
Similarly, in terms of financial gratification, the industry has really done a good job in that aspect even though we received more money nowadays but the value seems to have dwindled. Sadly, the industry has suffered in the aspect of respect and commitments from practitioners; we do not respect each other as colleagues any longer and that has been a very serious issue that we need to address in the industry.
It was reported that you introduced Dan Dolon Zaria into the Hausa movie industry; what really inspired you to do that?
When I decided to join the industry, I figured out that Dan Dolo, who has been a friend since our school days, has been performing as a dramatist and I believe as a team, we will be able to give our fans what they really want in terms of comedy.
The trend in the industry is the conversion of actors to producers. Are you following the same trend?
I started in the industry as an actor, but I am one of the actors that have started producing movies of their own. Remember I told you I produced my first movie Gundura and I also produced the movie Karanbatta and the movie Yazo among others. Therefore, to me, it is not a new thing. I have been doing it for ages and if others feel it is worth emulating then fine, so be it.
What is the difference between Lawal Gellesu and Gundura?
(Laughs) They are two different people entirely, Lawal is a family man who loves to make a living lawfully. He is a peace lover and a man of principle while Gundura could be anything, a clown, a bully and whatever character he was given.
However, people should always understand that a character an actor plays in a certain movie does not mean that he is playing his real life character. It is only a role and people should have that at the back of their minds. We are, most times being mistaken as being the characters we play in a movie which in reality we are not.
And how about government intervention in the movie industry?
Some states take movie practitioners as partners in progress, they recognized them and value them just like what is happening in Kano State. In Kaduna State, where I come from, movie practitioners are seen as a worthless commodities, needed only when there is a need to send a message to the public.
As an actor, I have single handedly married off over 14 girls who were members of the industry and I have returned girls that have left their states to join the movie industry without their guardian’s or parent’s consent.
However, in Kaduna State, the contribution given to us by His Royal Highness the Emir of Zazzau cannot be measured. He has been a pillar to us and we are grateful to him. However, let me use this opportunity to call on the Kaduna State government to borrow from what the Kano state government has done to standardize the movie sector in the state. We are committed to promoting the state government policies but the government should also remember that one turn deserves another.