My Next Goal After Filmmaking Is Marriage — Khadija Abdullahi

Interview with Khadija Abdullahi (Maman Yesmin)

This is a page that usually brings you famous Hausa movie stars, big and small, from the Hausa movie industry of Kannywood. Like every week, today the page is also featuring a special guest, KHADIJA ABDULLAHI, better known as MAMAN YESMIN, in the program Kwana Casa’in. She told readers about issues related to her life and film career, as well as many other topics.

Here is the interview with newspaper representative RABI’AT SIDI BALA as follows:

Full Name

First of all, readers will want to know your full name.

My name is Khadija Abdullahi, better known as Maman Yesmin in Kwana Casa’in.

About Yourself

Can you tell the readers a little bit about yourself?

I am a full-fledged Gwagwalada girl. I grew up in Gwagwalada, got married, and after my husband died, I had three children.

Interest in the Film Industry

What attracted you to get involved in the film industry?

Because I am a fan of Hausa movies. At that time, there were movie theaters, and wherever there was a shop in Gwagwalada, everyone knew about it, so I went to the theater. I also really loved the late Aisha Dan Kano and Mansura Isah. Then I felt interested and kept praying to God to fulfill my wish until He did.

When She Started Acting

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

I would say it has been about fifteen years since I started acting. From the beginning, I had a break and took a few years off before returning. Now that I have been back for six years, if you count from the beginning until now, it is fifteen years.

Starting Challenges

How hard was it to start?

I was watching in my sister’s room when I saw a movie, and I took two numbers and called them. One was Sani Danja’s and the other was someone called Shamaki. Sani Danja gave me a time and told me to meet him in Abuja, and I was surprised to see that I had been cast in a movie. I then called the second person, and he sent me the number of someone called Kandahar in Abuja at ‘Wuse II’. I called him and we spoke. He said my parents would definitely agree, and I said no problem, they would agree. Then, by the grace of God, he bought two stories, Babban Masinja, Baban Jari, and Dan Jariri, and we went to make the movie with Bosho and many others. My husband was also a Bosho at that time.

Parents’ Reaction

Speaking of parents, when you told them you were interested in starting movies, did you face any challenges from them or not?

After I did these two films, my parents were very happy. When my mother saw me, she would say that her daughter looked beautiful. Then I started getting gossip from the locals: “Now you have allowed your daughter to act in films, even though people say actresses are prostitutes,” and so on. She came and told me, and I said, “Mama, prostitution happens in a room. If a woman wants to prostitute herself, she will do it.” She pretended to agree, but later said she did not agree. However, I went and got married. We struggled to convince her until God made her agree, and I moved to Kaduna. After staying under the office of ‘Wash Production’ for two years, I started translating Indian films. Then I saw this film, and it was what I wanted, and eventually I got involved in it.

Movies Acted

From the time you started until now, how many movies have you done?

Honestly, I have done so many movies that I can’t even remember the names of some. But there are some like Kwana Casa’in, Dadin Kowa, Labarina, Karan Batta, Dakin Amarya, Aliya, Kishiyar Uwa. Honestly, I can’t list them all, but they are more than thirty.

Favorite Movie

Of the movies you have appeared in, which one has been your favorite?

My favorite is Kwana Casa’in, because it featured me and it remains my favorite. Until tomorrow, and even tonight, I love Kwana Casa’in.

Success in Film

What kind of successes have you had in film?

I have had a lot of success in film, but let’s just say Alhamdulillah.

Challenges in Filmmaking

Have you ever faced any challenges in filmmaking?

The truth is that the challenges I faced were not only accusations that actors are prostitutes; there were also insults and other issues. My mother always said, “Even if you are insulted and told that you are uneducated, be God-fearing, religious, obedient, and trustworthy.” Another challenge was after I appeared in Kwana Casa’in in seasons 4 and 5, and then it was said that my character was killed. Because of my great love for Kwana Casa’in, I swore to God that I could not go out. Everyone kept saying we would not see me in season 6, and I cried deeply. I woke up at night to pray, asking God that if I did something wrong in the project and was removed, He should make a way for me. At that time, I did not know it was part of the story. Eventually, God made a way for me to act in different movies, but the truth is that I love Kwana Casa’in.

Mentors in Kannywood

Do you have a mentor in the Kannywood industry?

There is Kandahar, Abdullahi Abu Uku, Baba Kanin Baba Small, and Ibrahim Bala, who is also my great mentor. I am in his company; I registered with his company when I entered Kano. Alhamdulillah, I really enjoyed it. There is also someone called Isah, whom I met on Facebook, and he was the one who connected me with Abdullahi Abu Uku from Kaduna. I am grateful to my parents, as they played a great role in my journey. May God reward them and protect them.

Other Career

After movies, do you have another career?

After movies, I do not have any other career. For me, movies are my career, but God willing, I will soon start another one.

Dream About Movies

What is your next dream about movies?

My next dream in movies is to get married.

Marriage Plan

How long do you expect to get married?

God has already destined it. I have already been in my husband’s house for two years. Marriage, death, and birth are things written by God.

Marriage Choice

For example, if one of your colleagues says he loves you and wants to marry you, will you agree, or do you not consider marrying a movie star?

I can marry him if I agree with his upbringing, religion, self-control, and ability to keep promises. This industry has done a lot for me. It has clothed me, fed me, and helped me pay my children’s school fees, as well as support my parents.

View on Kannywood Industry

Some people complain about the Kannywood industry. What is your view?

What I can say to outsiders who criticize the industry is that wherever you are, there is good and bad. Every profession in the world, whether business or office work, has both. I have nothing to say about this industry except Alhamdulillah. I treated it like an investment—registering, filling forms, and paying fees—and now I am enjoying the benefits.

Advice to Newcomers

What advice would you give to those trying to enter the Kannywood industry?

I urge girls who have never been married to first focus on education. After studying and getting married, they can return to the industry. If they must enter without marriage, they should be self-controlled. People say filmmakers are uneducated, but that should not be the case. Whatever you do, do it with your parents’ knowledge so they can bless you.

Advice to Colleagues

Do you have any advice or message for your colleagues?

We face many challenges as filmmakers because everything we do is in the public eye. Good actions bring praise, while bad ones bring criticism. I urge filmmakers to act responsibly, maintain discipline, and uphold dignity wherever they go. If we conduct ourselves properly, no one will have a reason to insult us.

Message to Fans

What do you say to your fans who watch your films?

Thank you! Thank you!! Thank you!!! May God reward them, because without them, I would not have reached where I am today. Alhamdulillah, wherever I go, people recognize me as Maman Yesmin or Maman Aliya of Dadin Kowa.

Greetings

Do you have anyone to greet?

First, I thank Allah for connecting me with Shamaki and Kandahar. Later, I met Abdullahi Abu Uku in Kaduna, who brought me to Kano and connected me with Ibrahim Bala. The day we met, he asked if I could act in a 90-day movie, and I said yes. The joy I felt that day cannot be described. He gave me an audition, which I passed, and I began filming. The first day I appeared on camera, I cried with joy. I am very grateful to Ibrahim Bala for giving me that opportunity.

Closing

We are grateful. May you rest in peace.

I am also very grateful.