Why I want to be the next Nafisa Abdullahi of Kannywood – Zubaida

Zubaida Muhammad is one of the lucky upcoming Kannywood artists who have carved a niche for themselves in the entertainment industry few years after their debut. She is a producer as well as an actress, and has featured in dozens of hit Hausa films. In this interview, Zubaida talks about the industry, her role model, […]

Zubaida Muhammad is one of the lucky upcoming Kannywood artists who have carved a niche for themselves in the entertainment industry few years after their debut. She is a producer as well as an actress, and has featured in dozens of hit Hausa films. In this interview, Zubaida talks about the industry, her role model, among other issues.

Tell us a little about yourself?

My name is Zubaida Muhammad, I am an actress in the Hausa filmmaking Industry known as Kannywood. I was born in Maiduguri, Borno State, where I started my schooling. We later relocated to Kano State where I continued with my conventional studies and later joined Kannywood as an actress in 2019.

Why Kannywood?

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Well, it was all about interest; I grew up watching Indian movies and I became so determined to contribute to the entertainment industry. I can say I was motivated to be an actress through Indian movies. However, when Kannywood became more pronounced and instituted, I became a fan of the industry. That was why when the opportunity came for me to be a member; I didn’t hesitate in taking it.

Who actually introduced you to the business of filmmaking?

I can’t actually single out an individual who introduced me to the industry. However, as I told you earlier, I have a passion for the industry and before joining, I already had friends who were either producers or actors in the industry. These were people I relate with almost on a daily basis and therefore, joining the industry wasn’t a difficult thing to do.

As you are aware, Kannywood is not like other professions because people have different perceptions of the industry. That was why it took me time to convince my family that joining Kannywood doesn’t mean joining a bad gang or doing something out of the ordinary.

You mentioned being a fan of Kannywood, who is your role model in the industry?

Ever since I started watching Hausa films, Nafisa Abdullahi has been my role model. To be precise, she is my inspiration in the Hausa filmmaking industry. I love the way she handles her scripts, the way she emotionally interprets scripts and her composure as an actress.

Nafisa Abdullahi is one actress that I respect a lot, and if you ask me what I want to be in the industry, definitely my answer will be; I want to be the next Nafisa of Kannywood.   

How many Hausa films have you starred in so far?

I can’t tell you the precise number right now, but I have lots of films to my credit. There are films like ‘Mayafin Sharri’ which is my first, and then ‘Alaka’ which happened to be my blockbuster film. I also have films like ‘Zarah’, ‘Dan Jarida’, ‘Sanda’, ‘Fatake’, ‘A Duniya’, among many others.

Did your perception of the industry change after you joined?

Not really because, like I said earlier, I had friends in the industry before I joined. So, the industry wasn’t a new thsssing to me at all. After joining the industry, I believe nothing much has changed.

There are lots of misconceptions, assumptions and counter assumptions about Kannywood, which is very unfortunate. People should try as much as possible to be fair in their judgement of the industry. There’s a saying, ‘If you don’t play the game, you can’t curse the game’.

How would you describe your relationship with your colleagues?

Splendid! I have a very good relationship with everyone in the industry. We are just like one big family; we relate as brothers and sisters. We live a reciprocal life of assisting each other as professionals.

However, this doesn’t mean that we do not differ on certain issues, but we do handle it professionally.  

What would you say is the happiest moment in your acting career?

The way people react when they see me and the manner at which many of my fans pray for me on my social media handles. I receive a lot of goodwill messages and prayers on a daily basis. People tend to like me for who I am and not what I am.

What is your dream as an actress?

My dream is to feature alongside Nafisa in the same film. This has been my dream ever since I joined the industry. Moreover, I am currently working on producing a film and I have planned to cast Nafisa Abdullahi. My hope is that she will accept and fulfill my dream.

Have you ever been ridiculed for a role you played?

No, I haven’t, but there was this role I played and when the film was released, I vowed never to play such a role again in my life. This was a decision I took by myself and not because anyone had complained to me or to my family. It was just a decision I took because it didn’t go down well with me.

What is your view on celebrities’ abuse of social media?

People should understand that not everyone on social media is an artist. People tend to mistake TikTok users for Kannywood artists and so anything they do, Kannywood gets a backlash. To me, this is not fair. I do not like the way people compare us with social media celebrities. The truth of the matter is: we are two different things and therefore should be treated differently.

Can you tell us something about your personal life?

Why not? I am single and I have never been married before. I am in a relationship with someone who is outside the entertainment industry. My plan is to get married in the next two years, but as you know, it is my plan but I believe God has a better plan for me.