Amina Uba Hassan popularly known as Maman Haidar is the ex-wife of famous Kannywood actor, Adam A. Zango. The young mother of one who exited the film industry for over a decade has returned. In this interview, the actress speaks about her return and many more.
How did it all start?
I was born and brought up in Kaduna State and attended both primary and secondary schools and polytechnic in Kaduna. I have a diploma and currently, I‘m a business administration undergraduate of the Nassarawa State University, Keffi. I’m a divorcee with one kid.
How did you get into acting?
I was initially involved in writing and singing songs, especially political songs. However, along the line I met a Nollywood artiste at a film location and it was that artiste that triggered the acting capabilities in me. What started like a trial became something I love doing so much.
To be honest, I never thought I could be an actress that many people will be commending based on roles played, but the short journey I had with the industry before getting married really brought out the artiste in me.
What happened to your marriage?
My marriage didn’t work out as expected. I got married in 2007 to a Kannywood actor Adam A. Zango and gave birth to a boy in 2008. Unfortunately, the marriage crashed five months after giving birth to the boy. After my failed marriage I decided to pursue other things while lying low until recently when I decided to chase my dreams once again; that was what led to my appearance in the TV series: “Gidan Danja”.
Was it easy staging a comeback into the industry?
To be candid with you it wasn’t easy at all. You see, being from this region one has to be very careful. As a mother and a divorcee one needs to be extra careful in making decisions. Thank God I have taken various consultations and I got the green light to once more give it a try. Thanks to 2Effects for giving me the chance to prove my worth in the film making business.
It is very difficult as a mother and a divorcee to actively get back into the industry successfully after over a decade of absence. It is clear that acting is what I love doing and acting is what I am going to do.
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What is your relationship with your ex-husband now that you are working in the same industry?
We still maintain a cordial relationship. In fact, when I was making consultations on my planned return to the film industry, he was the first person I consulted and he gave me advice which I found very useful.
He is my ex-husband but we have a child that we must endeavour to bring up properly. We are friends and nothing more. So I asked for his advice and he willingly gave me which is vital in my career as an actress.
Can you act with your ex-husband in the same film?
Why not! It is what we do for a living, and he is going to be casted as Adam A. Zango and I will be casted as Amina; not as an ex-couple. Therefore, I see nothing wrong in acting in the same film with him; and I can do it without any reservation.
Apart from “Gidan Danja” do you have other projects you are working on?
Yes! I was recently contacted on a new project that the producers wanted me to be part of. “Gidan Danja” is currently the project I am working on, but I have other projects lined up for me to work on.
Can you tell us some of the challenges you faced?
People socially placed me so high; that is they perceived me as someone above acting taking into consideration my background. My late father was a brigadier general before his death. So people looked at my social status as above being in the industry. Some kept saying I should go for Nollywood and not Kannywood. This is one of the challenges that really disturbed me. I want people to know that I am me, and not different from other artistes in the industry.
Another challenge is that of being a mother and an ex-wife of a colleague in the same industry. But thank God, I am gradually overcoming all those challenges. I am aware that life comes with various forms of challenges.
What would you say is your most cherished moment as an actress?
The respect I get from my colleagues, the cast, the crew and all others that matter in the industry. People in the industry really respect me and I respect them too. The respect I get from such people that I hold far above my level is a moment that I will always value and cherish.
What is your view on the assertion that actresses are miscreants?
This is only an exaggerated assertion from people that do not understand the industry. In every profession there are good people and bad people; and that doesn’t guarantee for generalisation in the entire profession. Therefore, I don’t believe in such assertions being made against either male artistes or the females.
Are you in any serious relationship now?
Yes.
Will you continue acting after marriage?
No! There are several factors that wouldn’t allow for that. However, I have begun to make a move in becoming a film directress, as well as a producer. After marriage, I can be in the industry as a directress and a producer; that way I believe will address those factors.
By Ibrahim Musa Giginyu, Kano
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