Actress Hauwa Garba, popularly known in the entertainment industry as Yar Auta, has been a leading female comedienne in Kannywood. In this interview, she talks about her disguise, role in the TV series ‘Gidan Badamasi,’ and more. Excerpts:
Weekend Magazine: How challenging was it joining the film industry, particularly with family?
Hauwa: I didn’t face any with my family. I can vividly recall, during the shooting of my first film in Katsina state. When I was contacted to be a lead character alongside Dan Auta ‘Sakarkaru,’ I sought for my mother’s consent and she gladly gave it after advising me to always be of good moral behaviour wherever I find myself.
After that film, I became a star overnight. Every producer wanted me to be part of his or her cast, and in no time, I had made my presence known in the industry as Yar Auta.
WM: How did you get the name Yar Auta?
Hauwa: The name Yar Auta was something I was called since I was a kid. It was given to me due to my small statue because almost all my mates look bigger than I was. People started calling me Yar Auta, which literary means the last born of a family.
Therefore, when I ventured into acting during my stage drama period, I used the name and that was how it came to stay.
WM: Is it true that you once married late comedy legend Rabilu Musa Ibro?
Hauwa: Yes, it is true I was at a time his wife. We met at a drama session, started dating and later got married. The marriage produced one child though the child is late now before we got divorced. After the divorce, we continued our separate lives as artists without grudges. We met at several occasions, including movie locations till his death. May his soul rest in peace.
WM: You went quiet for some time and returned. What happened?
Hauwa: It is true. The industry has put us a little away from it. But the coming of the TV series ‘Gidan Badamasi’ has brought us once again into limelight. My role as Sabura is my favourite in my entire career. I am sure had it been my stage name Yar Auta had not been there, I would have been nicknamed Sabura, the name I used in the series.
In ‘Gidan Badamasi’ everyone is treated special and made to feel important. The cast are like a family. Moreover, the pay is good and everyone is happy to be part of the project.
WM: How was the character Yar Auta created?
Hauwa: Yar Auta was created based on the name, ‘the last born’. It was my personal creation and also the outlook has been my personal creation as well. The reason why I chose a unique stage name was to cover up my popularity. An actress was once almost suffocated by her fans at an event. After that incident, I began to find a way of hiding my real face. In Nassarawa state, during a festival, I got to see someone with that look and decided to copy it.
Now I can go into public places without being recognized as Yar Auta. Not all my fans know my real face and I feel safe that way. I have featured in many films, but the most prominent are, ‘Yan Uku Uku,’ ‘Sakarkaru’ and ‘Bita Zai-zai.’
WM: What regrets do you have in the film industry?
Hauwa: I don’t have any regret. The industry has provided me with a job and that has been paying handsomely. I have a car, a house that I call mine. I am presently training my daughter in a university in Saudi Arabia, all from the proceeds of my work. To God be the glory.
WM: Are you into any relationship at the moment?
Hauwa: My main concern at present is to see a successful completion of my daughter’s school and her safe return to Nigeria. I want to see her get married first and settle down, after that, I will consider settling down myself.
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