I’ve always wanted to be a politician – Kannywood star

Weekend Magazine: What inspired you into acting?
Ibrahim Maishinku: I started acting in 1996 and the first movie I acted was released in 1997. I started acting without the knowledge of my family and friends. I believe God destined my acting career because I never saw myself acting. It all began one day when I was inside our school bus touring the city, one of my cousins called me and asked if he could use my life story as a script and would also like to make a movie to show the world a true life story that would impact many people. At first I was reluctant but later a friend convinced me. I sought advice from my close friends and they encouraged me to go on and give the script. I then decided to be part of the movie and that was it. I never envisaged myself being an actor neither was acting a passion for me, I just found myself in the acting world.
WM: What did you aspire to be as a child?
Maishinku: I always wanted to be a politician. I wanted to give the people a way of life and felt being a politician was the only way I could impact positively on the lives of people. As a child, I had always wanted to be a politician simply because I want to be an agent of change. Based on the current situation our country is in now, I was motivated to join politics and I am presently an active politician. I wish to vie for the House of Representatives in the 2019 elections and I will be representing my constituency in Kano State. The main reason why I am in politics is to contribute my quota to my country by putting an end to crucial issues like insecurity, unemployment and other issues that need to be tackled. This has always been a passion for me and I am following it diligently now.
WM: Would you encourage your children to take up acting as a career?
Maishinku: No I wouldn’t. My children are completely out of the movie industry, they will not be part of it. A lot of my cousins showed interest in acting thinking I would assist them and introduce them to the movie industry but I bluntly refused. From my experience in Kannywood, I wouldn’t let any of my children or relatives to join the acting industry. I have faced quite a lot of challenges, it got to a point where people would call me and say inappropriate things that affected me in various ways. Some people even said my acting career was bringing my family’s reputation and dignity down. On the other hand, some people would call and say good things about me and how good I am at what I do. Eventually, I got confused and didn’t know what to do. I wouldn’t want this kind of confusion and conflicting issues to happen to my children, so for that reason they will not be part of it.
WM: How do you joggle acting and politics?
Maishinku: My fame is basically from my acting career. My acting career has paved way for me in politics because wherever I go, people recognise me. I believe it’s a good sign that will help me reach my goals. As for joggling both careers, I stopped acting two years ago in order to further my education. During that period, I travelled a lot and met a lot of people who inspired me to join politics. I know of things in the government that I never knew before. I joined politics a year after I stopped acting. Producers have been calling me but I refused their offers because I needed to take a break from acting. With the fame I have, I believe people would be by my side and help me politically. I know I will make it with people by my side. The one thing that keeps me going is the trust people have in me. People see the best in me and that was why I realised the need to become a politician full-time.
WM: So is politics more lucrative for you?
Maishinku: Truth be told, wealth comes from God and I am content the way I am. Like I said earlier, Nigeria is in a terrible state and the problems Nigerians are facing such as corruption, insecurity, infrastructure, to mention a few, should come to an end. The reason why I am in politics is to bring an end to such problems and not because of money or to become rich.
WM: How would you rate Kannywood in the movie industry?
Maishinku: Kannywood is a wide house that is really blessed. Kannywood is beyond imagination. If given the right support Kannywood is one industry that will be a major movie industry in the world. We have what it takes!
WM: Do you see Kannywood winning a Grammy in the future?
Maishinku: Definitely! I see that coming very soon. From the look of things and how far the industry has gone, a Grammy will surely come our way. The quality of Kannywood movies is unbelievable and also the equipment being used are amazing. Things have changed drastically in Kannywood in the last five years.
WM: Projecting, which actors/actresses do you think will bring the industry a Grammy?
Maishinku: That I can’t say because such things come from God. I was nominated twice at the pro-Hollywood award in London. I was nominated for the best actor award in 2002 and also in 2003 I was nominated again for the same category. I also got a trophy from the Savanna International Award in 2010, 2011 and 2012, where I received the best actor in Northern Nigeria and the trophy is still in my house. We have so many actors and actresses that can bring us a Grammy.
WM: Has Nollywood ever crossed your thoughts?
Maishinku: No, it has never. I wouldn’t be part of it because my religion and culture are relevant to me. I have always told people why I wouldn’t appear in Nollywood movies. After the Savanna trophy, I was offered an admission in Malaysia Media and Animation School to study for three months but I turned down the offer simply because I can’t be away from home for that long. I was also offered ambassadorship but I still didn’t accept it. My culture and religion are totally different from that of Nollywood because the roles being played are entirely different and not doable for me.
WM: What is the difference between Nollywood and Kannywood movies?
Maishinku: Since the beginning of my acting career, all I try to do is to enlighten people on the dos and don’ts. Acting is basically all about that. The two main differences between the two industries are culture and religion. If I accept to work with Nollywood, I have no choice but to adapt their culture and honestly I can’t hold or kiss a woman in a movie.
WM: Does fame affect you in positive or negative ways?
Maishinku: Fame has a positive impact on me because I have been to places I wasn’t expecting to be all because of my fame. Fame comes with challenges, but if properly handled it can take one places.
WM: What is the most challenging movie you ever acted?
Maishinku: ‘Jamila da Jamilu’ and ‘Sarki Abdullah.’ These two are the most challenging movies for me. The storyline is one that makes the role tough but since it is my profession, I had to handle it and make the best of it.
WM: What kind of relationship do you have with Ali Nuhu?
Maishinku: He is a brother and a colleague, we are in the same business and we respect each other.
WM: Is there some kind of rivalry between you two?
Maishinku: Every human being has that sense of rivalry, even God himself. It is something that comes naturally and it is unavoidable. Personally, I don’t have anything against him and nothing in mind. I don’t know if anyone out there has anything against me.
WM: As a producer, what are the challenges you face?
Maishinku: I act more than produce because people recognise me based on my acting career and not producing. Most of the time when I go out, people say things that aren’t polite to my face and they criticise my work when in reality what they say isn’t true. A lot of people envy me.
WM: Now that you have been off acting for a while, do you miss it and also do you hope to return soon?
Maishinku: I’m not likely to return to acting just yet. Though I shot a movie three weeks ago in Gusau and I am working on a movie also with the best director, Aminu Saira. Seven producers also called me to offer me roles to play in their movies.
WM: What was the last book you read?
Maishinku: I am not a fan of books, I hardly read because I don’t have time for that. I travel a lot so there is no time for me to read books. I can only read the first three pages of a book.