Kannywood was recently thrown into mourning with the news of the demise of veteran actress Saratu Gidado popularly known and referred to as Daso. The late Daso was one of the prominent faces that has graced the television screen of Kannywood fans for decades.
The news of her death was initially received with doubts because the actress was reported to be very vibrant the previous day. However, on confirmation of her death, film shooting locations were closed while other filmmaking activities were postponed as a mark of last respect for the actress.
Before her death, Daso was a very jovial actress who puts smiles on people’s faces. With her, there was no dull moment. The industry will forever remember her as one of the first actresses who proved to the world that one can still be acting even while married.
When celebrating a year of her marriage, late Saratu in one of her interviews said “Well, this past one year has been a year of blessing to me, and I have to thank God for such a wonderful favour done to me. And I wish to remain with my husband till death do us part. You see, married life is quite different from your normal life; married life is all about patience and understanding each other. In every marriage, there are definitely trying moments for couples, but with patience and understanding such issues raised will only strengthen the relationship.”
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When asked why celebrity marriages don’t last; Daso replied, “Those that think along that line do not believe in destiny, because it is not only celebrity’s marriages that usually end up prematurely. Marriage and staying married are all the will of God.”
Her valiant roles will always remain fresh in the minds of her fans as the actress had proven her versatility in all the roles she played. No doubt her death had created a big vacuum that only time can fill successfully.
Already, condolences have continued to pour in as the entire Kannywood mourns the actress. According to actress Bilkisu M Saleh Dala, the death of Saratu Gidado was a huge shock to the industry, adding that it will take a very long time before the industry recovers from the loss. She noted that the history of the industry would not be complete without mentioning Daso’s contribution to the development of Kannywood.
Similarly, the chairman of Kannywood Actor’s Guild, Alhassan Kwalle, described the late Daso as a loss that will never leave their minds, adding that the actress dying during the holy month of Ramadan is a clear indicator that she had lived a fulfilled life.
However, actress and producer Mansura Isa described late Daso as a mother who had dedicated her life to the development of Kannywood.
Artists such as Sani Danja; Yakubu Muhammed; the Executive Secretary of Kano State Censorship Board Abba Al-Mustapha; Ladin Chima and many others were at the burial of the late actress held at Kofar Kudu in Kano State.
Late Daso died in the early hours of Eid-el-Fitr’s eve in her sleep at the age of 56. A greatly talented and versatile actress, Daso proved her mettle in the make-believe world. Her ability to aptly interpret her roles endeared her to almost every producer and director. She was among the first female artistes to star in a Kannywood English film produced by Kabiru Jammaje.
The late actress won several awards in the entertainment industry, and was among the awardees in the December 2023 Zuma Film festival awards, where she was awarded ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’, which perhaps was the last award she received during her life time.
