Mansura Isah has always been my role model —Maryam Isah

Tell us a little about yourself?
My name is Maryam Isah and I was born in Kano State some 25 years ago. I did my primary and secondary schools all in Kano State. I grew up in an area where strict adherence to societal norms and values are highly preached.
Growing up for us was fun especially for me, as a teenager I always looked up to my sister Mansura Isah as a role model even though as at then I had no intentions of becoming an actress. It was later in life that I figured out that I was looking up to her not because she was an actress but because she is a loving sister who cares for all of us.
After my secondary school in 2008 I got married, as God will have it, the marriage did not work out well and after some years we got divorced. After my failed marriage, I went back to school in pursuance of education at Aminu Kano School for Arabic and Legal Studies. However, I gradually figured out that I can still act because I am not too old to give my contribution to the industry, here I am today with a lot of movie roles.

You could have joined the industry a long time ago but you didn’t. Why now?
As I have told you earlier, my sister has been involved with the industry for long and my passion for the screen business I thought was for the fact that my sister had been part of it. But later in life, I realized that I was so attached to my sister not because she happens to be with the movie industry but for the simple fact that she has been a real sister indeed to all of us. My love for the screen is just natural only that I didn’t realize it at an early stage.
I believe that was why when I finally ventured into it, I did not find it difficult as it may seem to look like in the outer space. A lot of people say I have baffled them with the performance I put up during my first day at the location of my first movie.

Who introduced you into the movie industry?
I was introduced to the movie world through my sister Mansura. I told you earlier that she has been going all the way to see us progress in life. When I told her that I wanted to join the Hausa movie industry, she didn’t say anything to me she just looked at me as if saying ‘what really took you so long to decide?’ That was how I became acquainted with most of the practitioners and believe me, they have been very helpful.
Similarly, it was with my parent’s consents just like my sister did. Our parent never failed to remind us about who we really are and what we represent in the society. They always ask us to bear in mind that what we do will be accounted for and we should always remain good ambassadors of the family. They gave their blessings and they always never failed to pray for our success.
How would you describe the industry’s composition now that you have joined it?
Actually the Hausa movie industry has been a hub for all shades of characters, some good, others not quite good. The problem here is that, I have come to understand that it is only in Kannywood that an error by a single practitioner could warrant a holistic castigation of all members. However, I believe just like any other profession, there are the good, the bad and the ugly. It is left for an individual to decide which to choose.
There are nice people in the industry who have taken the profession as serious as anything and you can see it visible that they are indeed living fine and confortable with acting or related aspects. You can curse a game if you don’t know how to play it.
How many movies have you acted in?
I have acted in several movies some of which are yet to be; I have acted in ‘Rai ko Rayuwa’, ‘Aurena Rayuwata’, ‘Turai’ and many more. I have starred alongside artistes like Ali Nuhu, Jamila Nagudu, Sadiq Sani Sadiq among other prominent Hausa movie artistes.

Do you select scripts?
Actually it is not called selection rather we call it being careful. As a woman, I have to know what role I would play that won’t contradict my cultural and religious virtues. At times, roles that could land you in trouble with other people ought to be sorted out and avoided. However, at times I had to seek for my sister’s advice on some roles, which she gladly offered and I thank God for having her by my side.

How would you want to be remembered?
I want to be remembered as someone who had given so much just to see that innocent lives are saved. The movie industry is an avenue not only to entertain but also it is an avenue to educate and to inform. I want to be remembered for doing positive things that directly or indirectly touch people’s lives positively.

What about the issue of remarrying?
I am going to remarry again in as much as the man is willing to accept me the way I am. Marriage is not all about wishes; it is about time and destiny. I have married before therefore I am speaking from experience.

Are you into a relationship mow?
Actually, I am not into any relationship now, but that does not mean I have no suitors. I will remarry when the right man and the right time comes.