Ikilima Umar Opens Up on Kannywood Struggles, Challenges, and Her Journey to Fame

IKILIMA UMAR ARGUNGUN is known to many as SUHAIRA, the daughter of ADAMU ZANGO. The actress spoke extensively about her struggles in trying to enter the industry, along with some of the challenges she faced after entering the Kannywood industry.

In the meantime, the actress made a plea to those trying to enter the industry and also on many other issues.

Here is the interview with our agent RABI’AT SIDI BALA:

First of all, tell the readers your full name.

My name is Iklima Umar Argungun, popularly known as Suhaira ‘Yar Amanar Adamu Zango.

Can you tell your readers a brief history?

I am originally from Berbera, my mother is Ghanaian, my father lives in Kebbi city, Argungun local government area.

I did my primary and secondary school in Sokoto, after I was born in Ghana we returned to Nigeria. Now I am only doing business and have not continued my studies, I am twenty-seven years old.

What attracted you to get involved in the Kannywood industry?

Many things attracted me. First of all, since primary school, I loved drama, if possible, I would act.

After I grew up, I started watching and I felt like I loved Adamu Zango, in short, he attracted me and I joined, him and his heroine Nafisa Abdullahi.

How old would you say you were when you started acting?

Eight years old.

Was it a struggle to enter the industry?

I struggled a lot, especially with my father, I was beaten a lot and I insisted.

Because I didn’t want to enter the industry without his permission, and he only viewed films as a kind of vulgarity, he wouldn’t let his daughter enter films. Not to mention that we are related to royalty, I suffered a lot with my father, not a little.

My mother was the one who didn’t mind me calling her and she blessed me. Because she also wanted to sing, God didn’t do it. But my father, after we were together for almost two years, I barely managed to get him to let me in.

Who did you first meet when you first entered kannywood?

I met many people like; Mama Adaman Kamaye, Bashir Nayaya, Asma’u Sani, Lubabatu Madaki (Zinaru), Haj. Zulai Babejy, Baba Bashir Choroki, Sani Musa Danja, Yakubu Muhammad, and my bestie Maryam Abubakar, I first met them.

Which film did you start with?

I started with the movie ‘Dan Yau A Birni’, with Ado Gwanja. That was the moment that people wanted to see with their eyes closed.

I did one ‘scene’ in the movie, but this ‘scene’ was the one that got me talking because of the actor we worked with, we even got a chance to do the ‘scene’ because it was on the side of the road, people were laughing.

What was the beginning like?

First we went to the ‘location’ and waited for an actress to come, I thought the likes of Jamila Nagudu, I would see Fati Washa, or Hadiza Gabon, or Rahama Sadau.

She didn’t arrive until around twelve and the actress was waiting, then the actress arrived, I thought it was my ‘bestie’ Maryam Abubakar (Rufaida Kwana Chasa’in).

This experience really upset me, I thought it was not right to make her wait like this, that was at that time. But honestly I didn’t have any problems.

How many movies have you done?

It’s okay that I’ve done a few movies, I can’t say how many.

Can you tell the readers some of the names of the movies you’ve appeared in?

Dajin dodo, DanYau A Birni, Tasikainmu, kullaci, Sakayyar So, So Sone, Sadaki, Malamin So, Bora da Mowa, those are a few.

Among the movies you’ve appeared in, which one is your favorite, and why?

I like all of them, but I like Dajin Dodo the most, because I went through a lot.

And it’s ‘dressing’, not ‘normal dressing’. And I’m the daughter of the queen of the jungle, things in Dajin Dodo are different. And I like the movie So Sone.

What kind of achievements have you achieved in terms of movies?

I have achieved many successes in terms of movies, because of movies I have achieved many things. I have achieved things that not everyone can achieve.

For example, there are people who can die on Adamu Zango, even two weeks ago when he went to Ghana, someone saw him fainting, but I am one of the people who will pick up the phone and call him the moment he picks up, or if he doesn’t pick up, he will call again.

You see, I have been very successful here. Also, because of the film, when I go home to Sokoto, people will be bringing food and different things.

Is there any challenge you have ever faced in the Kannywood industry?

There are many challenges, but the one that stands out the most in my mind is, you leave your parents at home and struggle with them to come to the film, you are defending the film industry.

After you come, the person you are expecting to make the film for you comes up with his own excuse which is not even in order.

When you are not in the film, you don’t know how things are, you go to the ‘location’ in the morning, you are not given a ‘camera’, and you are not told that you are not working, until it is night and the machine is not given to you, you don’t know that you have come.

You will also have to be patient, you have to go back, the next day you go to a ‘still’ without a ‘camera’ on you, someone looks at you and says if you did it, you did it. If you didn’t do it, you didn’t do it.

What has ever happened to you that made you happy or sad that you will never forget in your life?

The happiest thing, the guy I love in the world, I saw him and said I love him, and he loved me more than I loved him. It’s not a shame, it’s not a disgrace, I feel happy about this.

The sad thing is, I want to see my mother close to me, she kept me away from her and didn’t let me lie on her lap, I cried on her chest, I told her my worries, she knew that before I went, my worries made me sick.

In Kannywood, the worries are, I once went to a ‘location’ and was kept in a waiting room for almost four days, and I didn’t even have a job. I was just taken away, my heart is more broken than you think. I am also happy that I saw Adamu Zango.

That doesn’t make you feel like a movie is coming out in your heart?

No, by God, I always have more ‘confidence’, because ‘it is my dream’.

Before you entered the Kannywood industry after Adam Zango, which actors impressed you, and why?

Adam A. Zango, Nafisa Abdullahi, Rahama Sadau, Hadiza Gabon. I love Adamu, Nafisa is like my sister Sahura, and the rest of their ‘acting’ impresses me.

Have you ever done a movie with Adamu Zango?

No! I have never done a movie with him.

Do you have a mentor in the Kannywood industry?

Of course, Hamadu Dorayi is Falalu Dorayi’s father.

What is your future dream in terms of movies?

I want to be a hero that others will emulate, and I want to wear a crown like a crown. I want to be a celebrity that the world will never forget.

When will you get married?

I am always ready, I am just waiting for God to do it.

Have you ever dated a guy in Kannywood?

Yes, I have. Akaya Mubarak, that is, Smart Aljalawi.

What advice would you give to those trying to get into Kannywood?

By God, don’t come in, let them settle down. Let them find a husband and get married, and may God marry us.

What would you say to your fans who watch your movies?

I love them so much because they are me, if not Suhairat. And I am very grateful that they continue to love me, and continue to do what they are doing.

Do you have anyone you would like to greet?

I greet you Rabi’atul Adawiyya, and my greetings to Hajiya Adaman Kamaye. May God protect you.

We thank you, may you rest in peace.

Thank you too.