‘Showbiz people aren’t bad’ – Bello Muhammad Bello

Weekend Magazine: You were rated the most talented Kannywood actor by a national daily recently, how do you feel about that? Bello Muhammad Bello: I feel great because it shows that people outside are watching us; they are aware of what we are doing. I feel great because my effort got crowned. Words cannot express […]

Weekend Magazine: You were rated the most talented Kannywood actor by a national daily recently, how do you feel about that?

Bello Muhammad Bello: I feel great because it shows that people outside are watching us; they are aware of what we are doing. I feel great because my effort got crowned. Words cannot express the way I feel about it. 

WM: Why do you think you were rated the most talented Kannywood actor?

Bello: To me, it is all about commitment. I normally put 100% effort in whatever I do, and finally my effort didn’t go unrecognized. Prayers, innovation and creativity have all played major roles in taking me far in film making.

WM: You were among the Kannywood stakeholders that went to the USA for short courses on filmmaking, what did you learn there?

Bello: I learnt a lot of things; how to act, direct, edit and some film tricks. 

WM: How would you apply what you learnt in the US to Kannywood?

Bello: I have already started. When I came back, I shot about 4 films, and I did my best to infuse all the things I learnt in the US. I just want people to watch out for my movies. They would know that BMB has moved to another level in terms of film making. 

WM: Most of the Kannywood actors your age and even below are married, what is BMB waiting for?

Bello: Yeah, people ask me why I don’t want to get married. I want them to know that marriage is in the hands of God, and there is nothing you can do about it. When the time comes I will get married. What they don’t know is that 15 years ago I had planned to get married, but it didn’t work out due to some unfortunate circumstances beyond my control. I have been into so many relationships and found out there was no light at the end of the tunnel. But I know one day I will find a good wife. I am praying to have the best and right partner. Right now, I am in the process and I am optimistic this year wouldn’t roll by without Bello getting married.

WM: There’s this rumour making the rounds that you’d marry Kannywood diva Maryam Gidado.

Bello: That girl is like a younger sister to me. I have never discussed anything of such with her. She sees me as her brother, she respects me a lot, I know her family and she knows mine. I advised her on so many things concerning life and her acting career. We are like brother and sister, and colleagues in the business.

WM: Jos is seen to be next after Kano and Kaduna where Kannywood is making waves, do you agree?

Bello: Here in Jos, we are doing our best. We are also trying to preserve the image and prestige of the industry. For me, Jos is the back-bone of film production in the entire North, so we will keep the ball rolling. I’m more concerned about Kannywood competing favourably with other film industries in the world. 

WM: What are the challenges facing Kannywood right now?

Bello: We have so many challenges, one of which is from the public, especially the Islamic clerics. There so many things they don’t understand about us. We are not saying that all Kannywood filmmakers are untainted, because in every profession there must be bad eggs who create problems and tarnish the image of others.  The clerics, community and society generalize us as bad breed. I want to tell them it is not so. A lot of things have been put in place to sanitize the industry so I ask the general public to be patient with us, because very soon they will see the real Kannywood. 

WM: The issue of a film village has sparked public outcry, especially from Islamic clerics who say that it will promote immorality and nudity. How would you convince them to believe otherwise?

Bello: Our clerics should know that film makers are not bad people, we are very good people using our profession to affect the society positively. We didn’t ask the government to build the film village for us, instead they decided to do it to encourage us after seeing the sacrifices we’ve made in the society. For me, the film village is a welcome development because it will create job opportunities, especially now that our youth are just roaming the streets without jobs, and are instead resorting crimes.

WM: What measures do you think would take Kannywood to great heights?

Bello: Discipline, commitment and hard work from all stakeholders. 

WM: What is your most interesting role so far?

BMB: The most interesting role was in ‘Sai Na Kashe Mijina’, where I acted as a patient husband who went the extra mile to put smiles on the faces of his mother and wife, and endured nagging and all sorts of provocation from his wife.  My wife tried to kill me but in the end she regretted her action and realised that I was the most wonderful man on earth. I played it perfectly well.

WM: What were your happiest and saddest moments?

BMB: My happiest moment was when President Muhammad Buhari became the president of Nigeria. Before he was elected there were a lot of killings and bomb blasts, but when he came in things changed, and my saddest moment was when I lost my mother. May her soul rest in perfect peace!

WM: What are you working on at the moment?

BMB: I am working on two projects – one is titled ‘Namiji A Hannun Mata’ and the other is ‘Da Allah Na Dogara’.

WM: The industry is sometimes accused of lacking very compelling stories. Is it true and what’s the way forward?

BMB: It is true we lack good stories and I think the way we can tackle this is to attend workshops, trainings and seminars on film making. We can also invite professionals to come and lecture on aspects like script writing. By doing that, I am optimistic we will achieve a lot.

WM: What is your most challenging experience as an actor, script writer and director?

BMB: I don’t think I have ever come across a daunting challenge because whatever I do, I do it with energy. I organize my schedules and execute them appropriately.

WM: Recently, Rahama Sadau was expelled from Kannywood. How do you see the punishment?

BMB: To be frank with you I do not support what she did. She is a lady and her culture and religion forbid her doing that. In the same vein, I do not support the decision taken against her by MOPPAN because we are all human beings, and we know that to err is human and to forgive divine. She made a mistake and I think the best thing to do is to call her and talk to her, we don’t need to ban her. Since God forgives, why don’t we also forgive her? I hope the leaders of the industry will forgive her, and let her come back.