RAHAMA SADAU: I Love Diversifying In Roles I Play

Rahama Sadau is an actress, filmmaker and singer. Born and raised in Kaduna, she studied Human Huma Resource Management at the School of Business Busine and Finance of Eastern Mediterranean University in Northern Cyprus. She rose to fame in late 2013 20 after joining the Kannywood movie industry with her first movie Gani ga Wane. Sadau is the winner of Best Actress ( Kannywood) at the City People Entertainment Awards in 2014 and 2015. She also won Best African Actress at the 19th African Film Awards A in 2015 by African Voice. In this interview with IJE IJEOMA THOMAS- ODIA, she shares her sojourn in the industry as an actress of Northernm extraction.

Share with us your entering Kannywood industry?

WELL, I think I have a very interesting journey; it’s amazing am how I started from Kannywood, which is another industry industry, and started way back like 11 years now. It’s just a great journey, of course, course full of challenges but along the line, you just have to pick up yourself. I’m so proud of what I saw today it’s great, it’s amazing. Just great.

11 years down the line, how have you evolved?

It’s not an easy journey. Of course, coming from the north definitely, it’s really not an easy journey. Especially trying to balance balan being in Nollywood and being in the place that I come c from. It was pretty challenging and amazing. amazin

Let us talk about your reality show, Sadau Sisters. How easy or tough w was it for you sharing that space with the audience? Well, it’s not an easy space, because, first of all, it’s a reality show. It’s not a movie or a series. I wake up every ever day as the producer and the artist ar playing myself for the first time. tim And I will have to wake up and ask the producer without any script sc to work on. It’s the toughest journey I’ve ever been as a producer produ and also as an actor. I’m so proud of the show because I couldn’t believe my sister’s siste performances and how comfortable they were with wi the cameras. They are ar so private and they love themselves, they are so selfish. They are just so comfortable comforta with one another anothe and it’s just amazing. amazi I’m particularly proud of the show because of the sisters.

How do you manage reality shows and real life?

That’s a good question, because before we went into the show, I had to sit my sisters down and say this isn’t a movie, whatever you say out there you will be accountable for that, so, be mindful of what you say, at the same time, be yourself. I think we found that balance because the show is all about sisterhood, family and the beauty of Northern Nigeria and all that we have. We were able to balance both and I think we did an amazing job.

Are you choosy when it comes to role- picking?

I used to be, but I think I still am choosy when it comes to roles. I still love diversifying in terms of the roles that I play right now.

Did you nurse fear that you would not fit in?

My biggest fear when I was switching to Nollywood wasn’t really switching but trying to play in both ‘ hoods’. My biggest fear was trying to be who I am as a Northern actress and trying to find a space where I would fit in here. It got me very confused.

What would make you reject a script?

If I don’t like the role I would reject the script. Particularly if I don’t like the story. I’m more about the story than the role because it’s how you play the role that people see it.

What is the message to young girls from the North?

My message is that being yourself is not easy. It’s very easy to say it’s not an easy journey either in the modern world but it’s even tougher that people from my side are not an easy journey. You just have to be focused, you just have to know what you are doing, and keep chasing your goals.

What were your parents’ reactions when they heard you were going into acting, religionwise?

I think we can spend an hour telling this story. My mum is very proud. I don’t know if it’s safe to say this but the first film my mum watched of mine was when I was three years down into Kannywood. It was just surprising. She called me and she was like I’m watching your show for the first time. Sometimes, as much as your parents want to be proud of you and want to support you, there is a whole society that is after you. I’m proud of them.

What is your style?

My style is anything I’m comfortable with.

People keep saying there should be one unifying industry in Nigeria. Do you think it is necessary?

I think it’s normal. Everywhere you go in the world they have branches of things. If you go to Bollywood they have branches. It’s just an industry where you get different kinds of people that tell their own stories and that is the most important thing. I don’t even consider myself Kannywood, Nollywood, I’m just an actress.