‘What it’s like being Kannywood’s twins’

Hassana and Hussaina Musa Abdullahi are Kannywood’s most celebrated identical twins. Both born and raised in Kano, Hussaina is a graduate of Kano State School of Hygiene and is presently working with the State Ministry of Environment, while Hassana graduated from Aminu Kano College for Islamic and Legal Studies. They took the Hausa movie industry […]

Hassana and Hussaina Musa Abdullahi are Kannywood’s most celebrated identical twins. Both born and raised in Kano, Hussaina is a graduate of Kano State School of Hygiene and is presently working with the State Ministry of Environment, while Hassana graduated from Aminu Kano College for Islamic and Legal Studies. They took the Hausa movie industry by surprise when they both ventured into acting. Popularly known in the Kannywood circle as Mairon Kauye and Mizani, the twins have over 30 movies to their credit. Also, Indicators in the Hausa movie industry has shown that their credibility as artists and their ability to interpret every role given to them has given them an edge over others as upcoming stars. In this interview with Weekend Magazine, they talk about their life in the industry, relationships, and more.

Excerpts many movies, some of which have been released into the market while some are yet to be released. Some of these include, ‘Garba Gurmi Sabon Dan Tijjara’, ‘Duka Biyu’, ‘Rikita-Rikita’, ‘Duk Mace Macece’, ‘Fitsarin Fako’, and ‘Ibro Dan Karota’, among others. We have over 40 movies to our credit presently and we thank God for that.

WM: You are said to be selective in roles you play. How true is that?

Hussaina: We are not selective. It’s unfortunate that our actions are misinterpreted. The truth is, we are only being cautious on roles that we play as artists. We won’t take roles that negate our dignity because most times our fans don’t separate acting from real life behaviour. It’s unfortunate that we are seen as being selective. Our mission in the movie industry is to attain the peak of fame.

WM: Have you ever been harassed for being actresses?

Hussaina: As identical twins we only pull crowds and attract attention. People tell us that our friendliness is what gives us popularity by the day. We have come to understand that our identical gift makes us the centre of attraction everywhere we go.

WM: How true is it that you switch roles in movies?

Hussaina: It’s true that some people don’t even know that we are twins. They believe they are seeing the same person, not knowing that the Hassana they know has an identical twin sister. Most times even directors of the movies we act in find it very difficult to differentiate between the two of us. We answer each other’s names because explanations don’t change anything. It is also apparent that sometimes we sit-in for one another, which doesn’t mean we are changing roles, we sit-in for each other in one or two roles and that’s all. For instance, there was a time my sister had to go for her exam and she had a final scene to shoot, so I went and did the scene for her.

WM: Are you in a relationship with someone in the industry? 

Hassana: In the industry, we don’t. However, we do have our separate love lives outside the industry.

WM: Do your boyfriends have a problem differentiating between you two?

Hassana: No, they don’t have that problem. They are both not attached to Kannywood and respect what we do for a living. They never get lost like other people we relate with.

WM: Would you continue acting after marriage?

Hussaina: As individuals and humans we will definitely get married someday, but when and where only time can tell. Moreover, we do have different views on continuing in the movie industry. It’s our guarded secret.