Naziru Auwal, popularly known as Naziru Danhajiya, is a Kannywood producer. His popular and blockbuster movies include ‘Mansoor’, ‘Kar Ki Manta da ni’ and many more. In this interview with Weekend Magazine, he talks about his experience, the glad tidings Netflix is bringing to Hausa movies, Kannywood’s prospects, his recent controversial remark about Kannywood actresses, and more. Excerpts
Some days back, you were quoted to have said you don’t know where Kannywood actresses are getting their money from. What did you mean by that?
I was quoted out of context. I never said that. How can I even say that? I know most of these actresses. I know their businesses. I even know the shops where they are doing the businesses. And apart from business, most of them are still active in the industry where we are always together. I can’t imagine myself saying something bad about my female colleagues. I was just misquoted, and before you knew it, it went viral; so much that I didn’t know where to start explaining, which was why I decided to keep quiet. But I never meant anything bad.
So, how did the actresses react? Was there a backlash or any campaign against you?
To my surprise, they didn’t react negatively. This is because I have a cordial relationship with them and there is this mutual understanding between us. I think it was only two of them that even talked about it as far as I know. And even those who spoke were just laughing, asking me what actually happened because they know I wouldn’t do anything that would cause harm to them. And I explained to them that I never said it; that I was misquoted, and they understood me. But that kind of mass backlash didn’t happen. I thank them for their understanding.
But some people are saying that their suspicion has finally been confirmed by a big producer like you. What’s your take on that?
It was spread by people looking for cheap popularity and they got it. They captured the quotation and my picture and then started circulating it. But I am still emphasizing that I was misquoted.
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In fact, if I see anything wrong with any of my colleagues, I would rather tell them to their faces rather than talk about it in the media. I can’t do that. I want everybody to know that these actresses are my colleagues, and as females, they are mothers, I can’t spoil their name unnecessarily.
Back to the industry, what are the prospects of Kannywood in 2024 and beyond?
I can say we started the year on the right footing. Netflix and Amazon Prime are now ready to stream our content which is a very big plus to us. With this new development, our film’s budget will grow and the industry will grow. As producers, we have started exploring the possibilities of accessing loans from the Bank of Industry to boost our production. And above all, one of our own, who knows our problem – Ali Nuhu, has been appointed as the MD Nigeria Film Corporation, which is another big plus to the entire film industry in Nigeria, not Kannywood alone. He knows the problems bedevilling both Kannywood and Nollywood, he will definitely help in developing the Nigerian film industry. So, I am very positive about our prospects now and beyond.
Ali Nuhu will further bring harmonious working relationship between Kannywood and Nollywood which will benefit Kannywood a lot. So, there’s certainly light at the end of the tunnel for us.
Can we now say with Netflix and Amazon, Kannywood’s problem is solved?
Our biggest challenge has been market and revenue. If we can keep producing good movies that will be accepted by Netflix and Amazon, I can say 80 percent of our problems have been solved.
The biggest hinderance to our movies from Netflix has been poor production. Kannywood has good stories that will be catchy and accepted anywhere in the world. We are now ready to adjust, and I am telling you Kannywood will shock the world in the near future.
Which projects are you working on now?
I am working on a movie called Zullumi. We started shooting this January. I don’t want to go into details, but I am telling you it will be very different in many ways. It will be a movie showcasing campus life, hostels and university life in general. Our fans should expect the unexpected.
Now that you have a larger market, what’s your advise to fellow Kannywood producers on how to penetrate the big market?
Everybody should be ready to produce quality movies. If you don’t have the capital, get somebody so that you will collaborate and do something big. And if you are sure of what you want to produce, you can get a loan from banks. Just present to them your business plan that is all. If you produce good movies, these streaming sites will accept them, and you will get a lot of money. You will pay back your loan and make profit.
But disunity is one of the biggest problems in Kannywood, do you think collaboration is possible?
At this point in time, unity and collaboration is a necessity. We must come together. If you can produce a film with between three and five or even 10 million naira, we are now talking of between 20 and 30 to 100 million naira. So, if you have N10 million, you can collaborate with other producers and get something good.
