Recently, Sunday Trust caught up with the Kano based actor and producer at the Argungun Local Government secretariat in Kebbi State where he told us more about himself
His career started early as he said he grew up acting. “During my school days I used to be part of Hausa drama groups right from primary school through to secondary school. After completing my studies, I usually go to places where dramas were staged,” he says.
Though he attended College of Education, Katsina, where he studied Fine and Applied Art, Baba Are, as he is fondly called, opted for the entertainment industry.
“Though I am supposed to be a teacher, I wanted to be on my own, so I opened a shop. I was into portraits designing and painting. I also did some other things to survive and I was content with what I had. But I have always had high regards for Hausa films, which was why I decided to join the industry and contribute my won quota to its development,” he adds.
The Hausa movie star has acted in some notable films and produced many others. “I can’t say the exact number but the first film I acted in was Fa’idah, where Hadiza Kabara and Aminu Momoh acted as the main characters and I was the supporting actor. The second film I acted in was Layu then Rashin Uwa,” Ali Baba states.
He reveals that after featuring in some films, he decided to produce his own, “The first one I produced was Kuruchiya and then Nanaye.”
Others films from his stable are Abin na Allah ne, Alhaji Babba, Dan Bukulu, and Baba Are. But he says he loves Iyaruwa Fiddakai most because it gathered many renowned Hausa actors and actresses.
“That was the first time we came together. It had people such as Rashidah Bello, Ruqayyah Dawayya, Sani Moda, Daso etc”.
He said his second best is Yar Yarinya which won the best comedy of the year 2008, followed by Baba Are because it reflects the reality of life.
Reflecting on last year’s censorship face-off between actors and the Kano State Government, he remarks, “The state government was right. It is like you have a child and you realised he was doing something wrong and you call him to order because you want the whole world to know that your child is well behaved.”
He admits that there were bad eggs among them but that the problem is now over.
“The state government is now trying to come to our aid in order to make the industry flourish the more,” he adds.
Among the challenges he says they face are lack of modern equipments and government support.”It is now that the government decided to come and support the industry because it realised that the industry can also contribute to the revenue of the state.”
He describes the industry as very productive and appreciates the recognition Hausa actors are receiving from their fans. “When we are with governors, people cheer us more than the governors and that is the same experience we get everywhere we go be it in Nigeria, Europe, or any where at all.”
