Why I aim to direct Bollywood, Nollywood movies – Sunusi Oscar

Sunusi Hafeez, popularly known as Oscar 442, is a popular film director in Kannywood. In this interview with Weekend Magazine, he talks about his early beginnings, his goals, how he formed Tamil Nadu, and more. Excerpts: Weekend Magazine: How did you get into Kannywood? Oscar: It’s a long story that started about 25 years ago. […]

Sunusi Hafeez, popularly known as Oscar 442, is a popular film director in Kannywood. In this interview with Weekend Magazine, he talks about his early beginnings, his goals, how he formed Tamil Nadu, and more. Excerpts:

Weekend Magazine: How did you get into Kannywood?

Oscar: It’s a long story that started about 25 years ago. I grew up in Fagge Local Government Area of Kano State where I loved watching stage plays after school hours. I gradually became close to the organisers, and as I pointed out mistakes they made, our relationship grew. This was how I became part of the organisers and later suggested to some of my friends that we try our hands in movie production. Unfortunately, from the beginning we couldn’t afford to, but eventually I was able to fund the movie and became the producer and lead actor.

WM: How did you get the name Oscar?

Oscar: I was once a football player. That was where I got the name Oscar. I never thought I would not be a professional player, but God’s plan is always the best. Here I am today, and I thank God for his blessings.

WM: You started out in the film industry as a producer and actor. How did you become a director?

Oscar: It was basically because I had the knack for noticing errors or mistakes right from the onset, and because I wasn’t satisfied, I gave directing a try. Luckily enough for me, since the first film I directed ‘Abin da ka Shuka’ (What You Sow), 20 years ago, I kept growing from strength to strength. I started directing with the hope of listening to viewers’ reactions. If I had gotten negative feedback from my viewers and producers, I would have quit directing for something else. After all, the movie industry is very big.

WM: What is your vision in the area of directing?

Oscar: My ultimate goal is to direct Bollywood and Nollywood movies in the nearest future. I am not planning to end my career with Kannywood alone. I am a dodge fighter and I will not relent. I like going on new adventures and learning fresh skills. That alone has helped in shaping my character and thinking, and I want to keep learning and practicing until I achieve my aim.

WM: What is the inspiration behind the creation of Tamil Nadu within Kannywood?

Oscar: Tamil Nadu is a state in Southern India with their own film industry. They are very creative, write good stories and make good movies, but they are relatively unknown because people know Bollywood more. So when we saw how we were training young talents in Kannywood and remained relatively unknown and underappreciated, we decided to call ourselves Tamil Nadu. As I am talking to you now, the actors we discovered and trained are those shaping Kannywood today.

WM: How do you view the lingering crises within the industry?

Oscar: To be frank with you, there must be crises and fights in the industry. There is no place in this world that is completely free from in-fighting, especially a film industry like Kannywood. We are working tirelessly to take care of that. The crises will keep reoccurring until we collectively fight it.

WM: You were recently invited by the police for allegedly releasing an uncensored video. What actually happened?

Oscar: I will not talk about that issue because the matter is still in court and one of my bail conditions is that I should not talk to the media about it.

WM: Do you think cinemas can help Kannywood grow?

Oscar: Cinema can help us a lot but we need to do more about it. We have to start by changing our idea. Our story line should not be only centered on love story, and we should bring in new faces. The cinemas are fairing well, but big people are still not coming to watch the movies. If we do the needful, our big people can start coming with their families to watch the movies.

WM: What message do you have for your colleagues in the industry?

Oscar: I’m calling on everyone to fear God and love one another because of God. If somebody is wrong, we should all correct him and collectively empower whoever is right. Kannywood is for us so we should help improve together.

To my fans, I will like to thank them for standing with me and I am calling on them to always stick with me. They should always tell me the truth. They should tell me when I am right and draw my attention if I am wrong. That is what true love should be.