I’m out to mend broken homes – Shamsiyyah Isah

Tell us briefly about yourself…Well, I was born in Kano, but spent the better part of my growing up in Kebbi State. I had both my primary and secondary school education in Birnin Kebbi. I had my ups and downs as will be expected of human beings. How did acting start for you?I have been […]

Tell us briefly about yourself…
Well, I was born in Kano, but spent the better part of my growing up in Kebbi State. I had both my primary and secondary school education in Birnin Kebbi. I had my ups and downs as will be expected of human beings.
How did acting start for you?
I have been interested in Kannywood for a very long time. I remember even while I was doing house chores, I would leave it to go and watch Hausa films at the slightest opportunity. A lot of times, my family had to go searching for me at our neighbors; houses and they were sure to find me watching Hausa films. Second, I have noticed the high rate of divorce in our society and it worries me a lot. Sometimes I just sit down and weep quietly. One day, I sat down and asked myself ‘what is the way forward’ and how the problem can be addressed. I eventually decided to venture into Kannywood, because I believe it provides a platform through which I can influence many people in the society. Being an actress, I said to myself, may serve as an antidote to the problems of the marriage institution in my part of the globe.
Can you share with us your first experience on camera?
I have been told so many things before facing the camera. I have heard stories of how most actors become nervous when they faced the camera for the first time, that some could not even utter a word and so on. However, that did not stop me from becoming nervous too, in fact, I even shivered because I felt as if I was completely in another world. Many who had the opportunity to watch my first movie might have noticed that I acted strangely.
How did you overcome that?
As they say, ‘practice makes perfect’. Whenever we were onset, I noticed that most of the actors try as much as they could to deliver their lines; they were performing their roles excellently. So I took that as a challenge and promised to work hard and deliver my lines too. I strengthened my relationship with the production crew. One of the directors once told me that I wouldn’t go far if I continue acting without confidence.
Coming this far, what challenges are you facing as an actress?
There are challenges no doubt, but so far it has been very easy for me to overcome them and settle down. Directors, producers and actors treated me as one of them and did not discriminate against me. Nobody maltreated me on the grounds that I was new. They all did their best to see that I become comfortable and even offered me useful advices. And I will forever remain grateful to them for that.
How many films have you starred in so far?
I don’t know the exact number of the films I have starred in so far, because they are many. They include ‘Basaja’, ‘Alkuki’, ‘Ra’ayi Zuci’, among others.
What do you want to achieve in or through Kannywood?
I want my films to not only impress the viewers but to teach them a lesson or two as well. I will love a situation where marriages will be strengthened through my films.I will want to mend broken relationships between and among couples. I also want to be famous and serve as a good example for others to appreciate and follow. I therefore pray that God will guide me to achieve that.
But many say actors promote, rather than discourage, immorality and other forms of waywardness?
People should be fair in their assessment and well informed before passing judgment. Yes, people call actors all sorts of unprintable names. Some even call actresses prostitutes without justification, but the truth of the matter is that actors are just like other members of the society, where we have both the good and the bad. In every profession, there are good and bad eggs. Let me give an example, a doctor will choose to practice his profession based on the medical ethics. Some perform abortion; others do not for. The same thing, a journalist may choose to report a real story that will create awareness while others may live on writing fabricated stories that may incite riots or even war. So, it will be wrong to judge an entire profession based on the conducts of few people.
How did your parents react when you told them you want to join Kannywood?
My parents objected it when I informed them about my intention to join Kannywood. They were apprehensive, because they have heard so many negative things concerning Kannywood. In fact, at a stage, I nearly gave up, but after some time I went back to meet my parents, I intimated them about the reasons why I want to join Kannywood and what I want to achieve with it. Luckily for me, they reasoned with me. One of the things I told them was that in every profession, there are good and bad deeds, which can either lead to heaven or hell; it depends on which one you decide to follow.
What message will you want to pass to your audience?
I want people generally to stop looking at us as people who promote immorality and indecency. If they continue like that, the knowledge we want to impart will be useless. Moreover, people should stop spreading lies about us just to tarnish our image. I also advise our viewers to weigh some of the stories they hear, because some of them are too false to be true.
You said you want to help sanitise the marriage industry. When are you getting married?
I am still single, searching and praying for a good partner. In fact my happiest moment will be the day I will step into my matrimonial home. I am not the type who will reject sincere suitors just because people see me as a celebrity.
Do you have any favorite food?
I like to eat our local dishes such as tuwon shinkafa and miyar taushe (vegetable soup), or tuwon masara and miyar kuka (baobab leaves soup) with intestine. Sometimes I eat noodles or chips with eggs. I also love chocolate and snacks.