Nadia Buari: The lady and the screen

Weekend Magazine: Could you tell us a bit about Nadia?Nadia Buari: I did my elementary education in different schools. Then J.H.S at Englebert International School, S.H.S at Mfantsiman Girls Secondary School where I studied Visual Arts, then the University Of Ghana, Legon, where I studied Performing Arts but majored in Directing, and then finally took […]

Weekend Magazine: Could you tell us a bit about Nadia?
Nadia Buari: I did my elementary education in different schools. Then J.H.S at Englebert International School, S.H.S at Mfantsiman Girls Secondary School where I studied Visual Arts, then the University Of Ghana, Legon, where I studied Performing Arts but majored in Directing, and then finally took a few theatre workshop courses overseas. I’ve also been a lasting executive partner in a number of leadership training seminars with the Landmark Training Institute- an organization modeled in providing training in leadership, governance and public life management.
How did you start acting?
If I remember correctly, I used to play some minor (no speaking) roles in my dad’s movies when I was a child, but my major breakthrough came when I was in my third year at the University of Ghana.
How difficult was it in the beginning or otherwise?
The beginning of every journey is usually always difficult, but with determination and hard work, the end we expect inspires us to perspire through the odds to become that which we desire to become.
So, for me it was a difficult start but not at all discouraging, because I had a goal and my eyes set on a particular destination. I had a few helping hands which gave me the support I needed to stand on my feet. My gratitude to all such revered persons I can’t find the words enough to praise.
Did you imagine then that you would go this far?
Oh yes of course. I had dreamt it, and therefore I had imagined it. It cannot be a dream if it has first not been an imagination.
How much have you evolved from when you started to where you are now?
The evolution has been complete and very far from being the novice who accepted all scripts in hunger for stardom and experience, into the matured me who is quite selective in what script she now accepts.
How did you break into Nollywood?
A Nigerian marketer had watched my first movie ‘Mummy’s Daughter’ and wanted his next movie to be Ghanaian-Nigerian collaboration.  So, he contacted the producer of the movie (‘Mummy’s Daughter’) about his desire to have me and the male lead feature in his movie which he obliged. The scripts were sent to us. After approval, we were flown to Nigeria to commence shoot. The rest is history I guess.
What was your perception of Nollywood before you became a part of it?
Watching and reading about it and the works that came from there, I felt the industry was well structured and everything was more business-driven than in other places around Africa.
What’s been your most challenging role?
That would be my role in ‘The Agony of the Christ’. For that piece, I had to alter almost everything original about me including my voice to play the devil in the movie.
What’s your favourite role?
I love roles that challenge me. I think because by nature I look too soft and reserved, I tend to appreciate tough and rough roles which bring out the masculinity in me.
Who have you enjoyed acting alongside?
No one particular person, really, but I would say in a nutshell that I’ve enjoyed working with anyone who has been able to help me bring out the best in me and made it easy for me to flow skillfully. And there are so many of them who have helped me achieve this.
Jackie Appiah and you have been described as rivals. Do you consider yourselves as such?
No, not at all! I think it is just our fans’ perception. How can people be considered rivals when they follow different objectives in life? We collaborate professionally and personally when necessary.
A favourite picture of your fans is one of you and your mum. You obviously have a very close friendship. How much has she impacted on the choices you’ve made?
(Laughter) She has had so much positive impact on me; I can’t begin to say how much. She is actually my manager, so you can imagine her influence on my career choices and I love every bit of working with her.
You were going to start of a reality show. What happened?
Nothing really happened.  It is something I am still working on. For now let’s just say it is still in the pipeline. I just redirected my focus to both direct and produce my own maiden movie.
Could you tell us about your maiden movie?
The story is basically about a young woman who underwent a broken heart and resulted to drugs and alcohol, because she thought it was a remedy until she almost lost her life and her daughter’s as well.
The main aim of this project is to highlight the threat drug addiction poses to personal and national development. It is also designed to portray the effect of stress individuals undergo in challenging relationships and their recovery process. The movie is in its postproduction state at the moment. Hopefully, it’ll be ready before December ,because I want it to be my Christmas gift to my fans.
Although D’Banj says you don’t drink garri, you if you do and what your best garri combination is.
Hmmm don’t mind D’Banj. I drink garri. I love garri with sugar, lots of milk and groundnut in cold water.
What part of your growing up had the most impact on you?
I think that would be spending time with my grandmother. She was a very tolerant and patient person with the way she did and organised things around her. These attributes of hers have really influenced all my dealings with people. I honor everyone I come in contact with. Though, to an extent I would say I’m not a respecter of persons, but basically, I respect people from all shades.
What’s the best part of being a celeb?
First of all, knowing you make people happy. Next is  always having many things gravitate toward you for good. That’s really awesome. Well you also enjoy a little preferential treatment sometimes.
Are you able to have any privacy and alone time?
As for time, you can’t really have it for keeps. It’s always the one you make that you take. So, if you can make time, you can take some time alone for yourself. And that’s what I do; the time people won’t give me, I take it myself.
What’s the biggest misconception you think people have of you?
Paradoxically, people hold this perception about me being a rude and arrogant person. This perception is really a big misconception some people have about me.  I think they misunderstand my shy nature to mean my shunning screen character. No, no, I am not what I am on screen; I am what I am when you can screen me off the screen to know me. 
What’s the most shocking news you’ve heard about you and how did you deal with it?
Well I think it was about a sex tape of some porn star someone twisted to look like me. I was quiet about it because my purpose in life is more centered on fighting to improve myself and not fighting to disprove what others perceive of me.
Who is Nadia off screen?
I would like to describe myself as a homey and quiet person. I spend a lot of time with my family and go often to church.
Who is your ideal man?
A man who believes in God, believes in himself and believes in me. A man whose values make him value the value of a woman; and a man who can love me for me.
 What are your plans for the future?
My one desire is to make impact on kids through education. It’s the one thing I’m really looking to achieve.
What’s the weirdest request a fan has made of you?
A fan flew all the way from the US, managed to find my home address and showed up with a ring.
Yes, he proposed and expected to get a “yes” for an answer. Now how bizarre was that?