Why I want to be remembered as a reformist – Aminu Saira

Actually many people have been asking me about the name Saira. Some thought it’s my daughter’s name, some are saying it is my wife’s name and many other things. But the reality here is that, Saira is a name that sprang as a nickname to give a unique and simple name for myself and for […]

Actually many people have been asking me about the name Saira. Some thought it’s my daughter’s name, some are saying it is my wife’s name and many other things. But the reality here is that, Saira is a name that sprang as a nickname to give a unique and simple name for myself and for what I do.

Different people have different reasons for joining the movie industry; what are yours?

Actually I am a reformist, if I can call myself that, the zeal to contribute in shaping the lives of members of the Hausa community in educating them not only on worldly things but also on how to understand Islamic doctrines is what gingered me to join the industry.

I am an individual who does not believe in violence or confrontations, and I believe with movies one can promote his culture, religion and beliefs without denting others’ culture and beliefs. Through movies complicated issues can be solved, through movies conflicts can be resolved and through movies policies can be analysed for wider understanding. So when I look at all these, it dawns on me that yes! I can impart my dreams as a reformist via movies.

Have you been able to achieve your mission in the industry?

You see, I am not that performer who blows his trumpet; therefore I am not in a position to judge myself. I have made my mission known to the public and whether I have achieved that or not; I can’t say out publically. But I know I have a mission and only a man who does not understand his mission will continue following an illusion.

Aminu Saira seems to have a unique way of handling movies he directed to the extent that if a movie is being directed by Aminu Saira it is regarded as a hit, what is the secret?

Actually, there is no secret to what I do. If you subject your work to absolute scrutiny by experts in the movie industry, consult experts on things you are not clear about, ask questions where you have doubt, have the zeal to accept corrections and observations made on your work and conduct research; at the end, what you will have is a good work which will probably be a hit. And this is what we have been doing to see that the Hausa movie industry has reached a stage where it can compete with any other movie industry in the world.

However, in this age, we have been agitating for knowledge updating on issues related to movie production. I have attended about nine courses on movie productions. And these courses were not centred on only one aspect of movie production; they were centred on different aspects of the whole processes.

As a man with the urge of seeing  the Hausa movie industry attaining a greater height, I have to ensure that I have updated my knowledge on the whole processes maybe that is why my fans believe that I have an edge over others, but I don’t believe that.

Recently, you had a pre-production press conference on your next movie; what makes it different from your other movies?

You see, the movie Dan Marayan Zaki comes with a new concept, and it has a budget of over N11million. However, in terms of its composition, the movie is going to be the first of its kind in the Hausa movie industry.

The costumes to be used in the movie are going to be acquired not hired and also we intend to build most of the structures to be used in different locations as specified in the script. In fact, we have intended to do a lot of things different from the usual adopted pattern. Similarly, we have engaged the services of expert historians on it and also we have subjected it to absolute scrutiny for corrections and suggestions.

Is Aminu Saira married?

Yes! I am married with one child.

How would you like to be remembered?

I will like to be remembered as a movie reformist whose mission was to use the movie to educate the public, to preach peace and tolerance and to understand our diverse cultures and beliefs. I will like to be remembered as that man who did a little and saved millions of lives.