I’m not in Kannywood for fame – Zulaihat ‘Zpretty’ Ibrahim
Zulaihat ‘Zpretty’ Ibrahim is one of Kannywood’s upcoming actresses. Presently, she has featured in more than twenty films. In an interview with Weekend Magazine, the 22-year-old speaks on her attraction to the art, its hurdles and more. Excerpts: Weekend Magazine: What attracted you to the film industry? Zulaihat Ibrahim: I started nurturing the ambition […]
Zulaihat ‘Zpretty’ Ibrahim is one of Kannywood’s upcoming actresses. Presently, she has featured in more than twenty films. In an interview with Weekend Magazine, the 22-year-old speaks on her attraction to the art, its hurdles and more. Excerpts:
Weekend Magazine: What attracted you to the film industry?
Zulaihat Ibrahim: I started nurturing the ambition of becoming a lawyer since as a child, but this later changed. I began to dream of becoming a model and realised that acting can get me there. I believe I am on my way to achieving my dream.
WM: When did you start acting and how did it happen?
Zulaihat: It was in 2017, and I was introduced into Kannywood by a popular director, Sunusi Oscar 442. He introduced me to FKD Production, managed by the famous actor Ali Nuhu, and other film productions.
WM: How many films have you starred in so far?
Zulaihat: My first outing was in a series titled ‘Zamantakewa’. During the film’s shooting, many filmmakers visited the location and were impressed by my acting skills. So, Immediately after ‘Zamantakewa’ one of the producers casted me in ‘Akushi’. I later starred in ‘Inda So Da Kauna’, ‘Dace Da Masoyi’, ‘Bakauye’ and ‘Sagegeduwa’ among others. Now I have acted in more than twenty films.
WM: How would you compare your life before and after you became an actress?
Zulaihat: Before I started acting, I simply watched others on television, now I am working hand-in-hand with them. It seems like a dream sometimes, especially when I am working with top notch Kannywood stars. I never knew I would see Ali Nuhu in real life. He is my mentor. I like the way he acts.
WM: You act in both comedies and other productions. What is it like switching from a humorous role to one that isn’t?
Zulaihat: That’s the reason why we are called actors. An actor should always be able to act out what a director tells him to, therefore I can act any role given to me. I take anything I do seriously.
WM: One of your selling points in Kannywood is your dancing and singing. Were you a dancer before you started acting?
Zulaihat: I have been a dancer right from childhood. I like dancing and singing. I want people to know that although I dance, it doesn’t mean that I can’t do without it. Film is also about entertaining, educating and enlightening people. I don’t want people to focus on the dancing and singing part only, but to learn lessons in any film they watch. Again, sometimes even the dancing and singing has a lot of messages. We aren’t doing it just for the sake of it.
WM: What do you consider to be the most difficult aspect of your acting career?
Zulaihat: The most difficult thing for me is being on-set for 24 hours, most especially if I am the lead character of the film.
WM: How do you want to be remembered in Kannywood?
Zulaihat: I want to do my things according to my religion, traditions and norms. In everything I do, I put the fear of God first. I am in Kannywood to deliver messages that positively impact peoples’ lives. Even though I have passion for modelling, I am not in Kannywood to be famous or to get money. I want to be remembered as someone who impacted peoples’ lives positively.