…features in Ebonylive TV drama 'Sons of the Caliphate'

By Chris Onuoha
Rahama Sadau is one phenomenal Hausa actress from Kaduna State, Nigeria. She studied Business Administration at Kaduna Polytechnic and joined the Hausa movie industry (Kannywood) in 2013. In the course of her career as an actress, she emerged as the Best Actress (Kannywood) 2014 award by City People magazine, and also won Best African Actress at the 19th African Film Awards by African Voice, a British tabloid with African interest.

She was recently banned by Motion pictures Practitioners Association of Nigeria (MOPPAN) from the Hausa movie industry, Kannywood, who faulted her role in a music video with a Jos born singer, ClassiQ, termed as immoral. Vanguard's WO caught up with her during the premier of a TV Drama series 'Sons of The Caliphate' in which she featured, and sought her views on her controversial expulsion.

“Well I was born an actor. I have been dying to act in movies since childhood. I eventually had my first feel of it during my secondary school days when I participated in school dramas and dance events.

At the tertiary level, I enrolled to study Business Administration at Kaduna Polytechnic. While in Ordinary Level (ND) I embarked on acting professionally.

In reality, I am a northern Hausa girl, and I have lines I would never cross, like mode of dressing or basic public ethics. I belong there and most of my fans are from the north. I don't have to restrict my fans or make an enemy of some which shows in the way I conduct myself most times.

One perception about acting in the northern part where I come from is that it seems abnormal as the culture dictates, but I took it professionally despite the challenge this perception holds. Yet I am like a role model to many who appreciates acting in the northern part of Nigeria. If I am not an actor, I would have been a model. There's nothing wrong with it as long as I conduct myself in a manner”. Rahama Sadau

Can you encourage Hausa girls to act?
Yes, of course, I have just launched my new production company and the crew members are basically girls. You know, northern girls think that they are just women kept aside that can't make a move. We have great talents and potentials in the north but the culture has not given them opportunity to explore and it is something bad. Just like I said, you can have restrictions to yourself, but being an actor does not mean I have to portray myself in an inordinate manner. The reason I launched this project is to correct that sort of perception towards girls from the north. The project is called 'Sadua pictures”

Hausa girls who want to pursue a career in acting should be encouraged. If you watch the story line in “Sons of The Caliphate' you can see that it portrays a Hausa girl that does not want to go against the norms of the northern clime. You can tell from that.

She doesn't do nasty things; she doesn't have to do anything beyond or against what people will see as abnormal. Perception of Hausa girls as seen in the south should change because we have grown and moved on with reality.

However, you can't change culture but you just have to be careful with what you do. I believe an actor is just an actor trying to portray an act for people to see. It has nothing to do with him or her personally.

Moreover, I don't think I feel in any way different from my background because I am just a typical northern Hausa girl. Even in acting, I use my Hausa accent richly and fluently. Despite the fact that others might want to tilt or fake accent like the British or American, I usually stick to my indigenous accent and that's me.

Coming into mainstream Nollywood, how do you feel, especially with your role in 'Sons of The Caliphate?

O yes, it is interesting though, but you may know I have worked in several other Nollywood projects. I have actually worked so hard in this drama series. I feel great and I feel like my dream is coming true. It's really challenging though but it is not different from what we are doing in Kannywood, the only change is in the language. I really enjoyed it and the casts are awesome.

The character Binta which I played in 'Sons of The Caliphate' speaks more about me. You may not see the true picture from the early series, but from the centre of the drama, it speaks much about me.

Sons of The Caliphate
'Sons of The Caliphate' is quite a unique one because it is the only one for now that is the longest on set. It's so challenging,

Are you making a cross over to Nollywood?
I have featured in many Nollywood projects. It's not like a crossover thing to me but just to balance the two. An actor is always an actor whether in Hollywood, Nollywood or elsewhere. Like I said, it's the same industry, but the only challenge we have is that we have our own kind of culture, traditions and norms in the northern part that we can't go against. Every other thing is the same – productions, sets, including story, you can actually turn Kannywood stories to English.

You are beautiful, talented – how do you handle male admirers?

Not as much as you think. I am a hardworking person and so dedicated to my career. I hardly give in or create time for such admirers; rather I treat everyone according to the precepts of my northern norms.

Can you marry an actor?
Yes I can, why not? An actor would understand me better as long as the person knows the rules of the industry, but not an actor from the other side, who out of norms would want me to stop acting.

What keeps you going?
For the fact that I come out every day and do what I do, keeps me going. And with lots of love from fans, friends, and family, I would say it keeps me motivated.

Parental acceptance:
I had an initial challenge from my parents accepting acting as a profession, but of course, a typical Hausa parent should. But my mum somehow shows enthusiasm – having watched me perform in super story and said: “That's my girl”. In a nutshell, I have the support of my family to move on as an actress.

My mum is also instrumental to my career because she will always call me and say “Where are you now, I just finished cooking, can you just come back and eat”. It's so amazing she can call me from wherever I am to come home for her to see me. She is always my comic friend.