Interview: First Kannywood female comedian speaks on her new role

Perhaps it is not as easy as it seems for a movie star to shift from one role to another. However, whenever an actress or actor does that, it becomes apparent that such an artist has written his or her name in gold. For actress Jamila Umar Turaki, popularly known in Kannywood circle as Jamila […]

Perhaps it is not as easy as it seems for a movie star to shift from one role to another. However, whenever an actress or actor does that, it becomes apparent that such an artist has written his or her name in gold.

For actress Jamila Umar Turaki, popularly known in Kannywood circle as Jamila Nagudu shifting roles isn’t a big deal when she recently starred in a Hausa comedy ‘’Indon Birni’’ a film which sought to portray the transition to a city life style by village champion lady.

In this interview the multi-talented award winning actress speaks about her experience and role as a comedian and many more. 

Can you tell us a little about yourself?

Assalamu alaikum warahmatullah, My name is Jamila Umar Turaki, but am known as Jamila Nagudu. I was born in Bauchi state at a town Magama gumau in Taura local government. I grew up at Bauchi, studied at Bauchi and married at Bauchi. Then I came to Kano and joined Kannywood. So far I have received many awards and the latest was an MTN best actress award.

How did you feel when you played a very different role in the movie Indon Birni as against the normal role you used to?

I am Jamila Nagudu, ‘’the actress’’, not just Jamila Nagudu and as an actress the audience needs to be assured that they are with an actress. What qualifies someone to be an actress or actor is being able to act any role assigned to them, to make audience feel they are with a star by being hardworking with a lot of efforts. An actor/actress who cannot act any role assigned to him/her to me, is not a star. But  I can act any role assigned to me especially Comedy. As the first  female actress in kannywood  who starts acting in  comedy movies, I find it very easy to act. Just like late IBro who said I exhaust him in comedy movie when we act, which indirectly means am better than him.

How does it feel acting the role of a villager?

I feel nothing actually, because am aware of the story. I was supposed to be in "indon kauye" because the story belongs to Jamila Nagudu’s company. But we sold the story to another company because I was absent, then Hadiza Gabon starred at the movie. My fans complains of my absence in the movie, so the producer asked me to starred at the continuation " indon Birni". I wasn’t really because they knew I can act in the movie, and in any role .

You wore an amazing make-up in that movie, how does it feel with those artificial teeth?

Laughter! … Well, when the artist finished the make-up, at the first scene of the movie, the room scene where my father was showing me the air conditioner, I saw my reflection on the mirror and I laughed so much with the director and all the movie crew for about thirty minutes   before we proceeded. Many people couldn’t even recognize me at first, especially when the movie pictures were posted on social media. But I really suffered with those teeth’s ooo! Because after they were removed, I suffered some pains on my gums. I even asked the director if I can act without them , but he said "No. I protest it hurts and said I have to be patient. So I endured because that is how the character should be and we finished peacefully.

There is a scene in which you were about to drink water from the toilet, how did you feel acting the scene? 

Hahaha…yes many viewers told me they closed their eyes at the scene. But it’s a movie, I can never do that. I didn’t drink the toilet water but another. But when I put the cup into the toilet sink, I felt somehow to be honest. 

What moral lesson does the movie aim to pass?

Like in both movies ‘indon Kauye’ and ‘indon Birni’ was a story about a girl who grew up in a village with no education and unmarried. It’s really rare to find a girl of her age in a village. But if it occurs, the girl may be stupid and confused about anything and the world. The message here is that parents should guide such girls and married them out properly. The story also shows strong friendship bound which is extinct nowadays where parents promised each other’s child for marriage before they were born. Parents should wait until the children are born, then be introduced to each other and fall in love with each other, before they should be married off.

How do you feel when you received an award? 

Alhamdulillah…there is joy to every success especially in what you are best at, my joy is indescribable. I feel very happy whenever I am given an award, on what I am good at. It makes me feel appreciated and always proud of my awards.

Which movie of yours should your fans be expecting? 

There are many movies which am sure my fans are aware of, such as ‘kalan Dangi’ and much more.