It took me five hours to shed tears for a scene – Maryam Abubakar

Weekend Magazine: What inspired you to venture into showbiz? Maryam Abubakar: I had the passion to be an actress. I can even say it was my childhood dream to be an actress. When I heard there was an audition for ‘Bilkisu’ by Amara Film Production, I rushed to Kano and I was opportune to participate […]

Weekend Magazine: What inspired you to venture into showbiz?

Maryam Abubakar: I had the passion to be an actress. I can even say it was my childhood dream to be an actress. When I heard there was an audition for ‘Bilkisu’ by Amara Film Production, I rushed to Kano and I was opportune to participate in the audition. To my surprise I was chosen to be the lead character.

WM: How did you feel about this and how did it happen?

Maryam: To be candid I was extremely joyous and delighted. As I said earlier it was my childhood dream to be an actress and the day it happened, I was very, very joyous. After my name was announced as the lead actress I got hundreds of calls from my family and friends who were all congratulating me. I told myself after this comes the hardest part.

WM: How can you describe your first day onset?

Maryam: I was nervous and apprehensive because all the people behind the crew including the director, Balarabe Murtala Baharu, producer, Director of Photography (DOP) and cameramen among others were looking at me. That really unsettled me and made me nervous.

In the beginning I wasn’t able to deliver my lines but with words of encouragement from the director I was able to pick up and at the end of the day I did well because the production crew praised me and I was pleased to hear that from them.

WM: How many days did you spend onset of the film ‘Bilkisu’ and how did you cope?

Maryam: Most of the locations I have visited they usually spent five to 10 days, but we spent about 10 weeks onset for ‘Bilkisu.’ From the beginning I was happy being onset, but in the middle I was bored and at the end I was eager to finish my scenes so that I could go. Ironically, it wasn’t funny from the beginning but it turned into catching fun and spending time like a family at the end of the set. I made new friends and maintained a good relationship with them.

WM: What scene would you say has been the hardest for you so far?

Maryam: My hardest scene was my first scene in my acting career and the scene required me to cry. I can tell you we spent almost more than five hours before I shed tears. All the people in the set were encouraging me to cry; some were saying, yes you can do it. I was only able to do it after one lady advised the director to tell me to squeeze onion close to my eyes. After they squeeze it, the tears came. I cannot forget that day. But during the subsequent scenes that required me to cry I did it exceptionally.

WM: Then what inspired you to deliver your lines during that 10 weeks onset of ‘Bilkisu’?

Maryam: It happened on the third day onset of the film. That day we were on break and I eavesdropped on the director saying that despite I the fact that I was a first timer in Kannywood I was doing well. I kept that thing in mind and it really motivated me during the set of the film. From time to time I would seek advice from my colleagues and they helped me a lot. I am grateful to them. I can remember when they were editing the film, the director called me hailing me about one a particular scene. He said I fantastically given him what he wanted.

WM: Are you satisfied with the role you played in ‘Bilkisu’?

Maryam: The film ‘Bilkisu’ has a unique theme. It wasn’t on marital affairs or love alone and that makes me love the film. Also, there were lessons to be learnt from it and I am happy the executive director told me that they are targeting world cinemas and television stations in the world. To me an actor is not an actor if he is not an all-round actor. All actors should be able to act in comedy, tragic and melodramatic films. As an actor you have to be versatile and be able to act on any script given to you.

WM: How many films have you starred in so far?

Maryam: I have starred in so many films, which include ‘Farin Wata’, ‘Zanen Suna’, ‘Jarumin Sarki’, ‘Takalmin Kaza’, ‘Duniyar So’ and ‘Diddigi’ among others.

WM: Which film did you like most and why?

Maryam: I like ‘Bilkisu,’ because it was a ladder for me to climb to the great in my acting career. It was my first film and was the film that made other filmmakers cast me in their films. It was the film that brings recognition and award to me. It was also a training ground for me as an actress and with my performance I can proudly tell you that I have no fear acting in any film.

WM: What is your dream?

Maryam: My dream is to be a world class actress and a woman that would serve as a tool for educating, entertaining and informing the general populace. I also have a dream in making Kannywood a force to be reckoned with globally, to be able to compete with Hollywood and Bollywood. I also want to be a Kannywood legend.

WM: Where do you see Kannywood in the future?

Maryam: I am seeing better days ahead. More professionals are going back to school to better themselves. This is a plus for Kannywood. In the future, if someone doesn’t have the knowledge of filmmaking, it will be impossible for that person to be in the industry. It’s always a great idea to learn more about this craft we all love.