With some international awards to her credit, including Best Supporting Actress at Afro Hollywood Award in London, Halimat Abubakar has paid her dues in the Nigerian film industry. Since launching herself into the industry over 10 years ago, the Ebira, Kogi State-born actress has not looked back in her flourishing career. Though a graduate of Sociology, she ventured into the make believe profession that has exposed her to a lot of challenges. Today, she is proud to be one of the most sought-after actresses in Nollywood, having featured in more than 60 movies. AJIBADE ALABI cornered her recently, and she told her success story, how she was inspired by Joke Silva, her marital status and several other things. Excerpts.
Tell us about your background?
I am from Ebiraland in Kogi State. I am from a family of seven and the second in the family. I grew up in Kano, Katsina and Kogi states, and attended the Army Day Secondary School Bubabu Barracks, Kano as well as St. Louis Secondary School, also in Kano. I graduated from Ado Bayero University, Kano, where I studied Sociology. I am based in Lagos now, working as an actress in Nollywood.
What was growing up like and what were the fond memories you can remember?
I grew up in Kano and my parents are still there. My growing up was beautiful and filled with love. My mum – God bless her – is the best mum. I was extremely stubborn and my parents were saying ‘where are we going to shift this girl to?’ My mum didn’t know what to do with me; but I am grateful that they are appreciating me now and they like what am doing. My parents are my biggest fans and critics. I can confidently do any movie because I know they are behind me. Initially, when I started, they were not aware because I was stubborn and rebellious. But now there is nothing I will do that I will not tell my parents. My dream was to make a difference in anything I do and initially I wanted to be a footballer, but God had his own plans for me. The love for acting actually propelled me into it. I used to watch a lot of foreign movies and I said to myself that I could as well do more than they were doing; that was how I decided to move forward and here I am today doing it in my own country and in our own way.
How did you get into the Nigerian movie industry?
I started acting at a tender age. As a young girl aspiring to become an actress, I met a colleague of mine – Francis Duru – in Kano in 1999, who eventually introduced me into the industry. He actually gave me some contacts to check anytime I wanted to go for auditioning in Lagos because I was based in Kano with my parents. My parents didn’t want me to go for the show because I was little. The artistes that featured at the show were Jide Kosoko, Ngozi Nwosu and the then Plantashun Boiz. When I came to Lagos, I went round searching for the address. When I got there I was surprised because I saw many people at the auditioning. It was really interesting, intriguing and here I am 10 years later. It took me over two years to get a role. I struggled to get a lead role in the movie titled Gangster Paradise produced by Ifeanyi Benyi (Mr. Hollywood). Though it wasn’t my first movie, it was my first major role. My parents are my biggest fans now. They appreciate me and they just love me and understand my job.
What inspired you into acting?
I think Indian movies inspired me into acting. One of them is titled the Third Eye, a popular soap opera in the 90s shown on television. I admired the cast in the programme. Another was Maria, the Slave Girl, a Mexican soap opera. In fact, I watched mostly Indian movies because of my background. In Nollywood, Joke Silva actually inspired me into acting. Anytime I watched movies in which she featured, I adored the way she interpreted her roles. In fact, I felt encouraged to act because I admired her acting style and the way she carries herself on set. I will say lots of the soap operas I watched on television like Behind the Clouds and mostly the India movies and their wonderful actors and actresses inspired me.
Who are your mentors?
In the Nigerian movie industry, I will say they are the likes of Joke Silva, Olu Jacobs, Babara Soki; and for the Indians, I love Hemamaline, Kajoll and a whole lot of them.
If you were not an actress, what other profession would you have chosen?
I studied Sociology and International Relations. I would have been working with the Embassy now or any other job in line with what I studied in school. But I started acting before I went back to school. So I will say if I were not an actress, I would have been working in an office.
How would you rate the movie industry; has it fared well?
The Nigerian film industry is at its peak. Every day is a revelation and I’m proud to be in the industry. Nollywood has changed tremendously, and it can still be better. The payment is way better and the calibre of actors high. The directors are mind blowing. I will say they are growing fast because this is not how the industry was when they started. I know that some days, they will get there. Things are really changing for the better and I am happy that I am involved in Nollywood.
Which of your movies will you say brought you into limelight?
I have featured in many movies. But for me now I cannot figure out the one that brought me into limelight. I can just go for Area Mama and that was six years ago. I can also mention War in the Church.
If you are to effect any change in the Nigerian movie industry, what would look at?
I will start with stereotyping, and then go to the area of tribalism. The third will be unprofessional actors and actresses. Every day you see many people entering the industry even when they don’t know how to act. Nollywood is for talented and serious-minded people, not lay abouts that are without talent. They just come and flaunt all they’ve got, dress indecently and give Nollywood a bad name. Some people call meHalima Nollywood because they know that any work I am given, I put in my best because of the love I have for it. I got the name through hard work. If I become a producer tomorrow, a lot of people are going to hate me because I am really going to be a professional. I will take my time in giving out roles to talented people. Movie production is a serious business. We don’t need lay abouts in Nollywood.
Talking about sexual harassment in the industry, is it real and have you ever been sexually harassed?
It is a normal thing in every industry. When a man sees a lady he admires, he can tell her his feelings. I don’t see that as harassment. A lot of people talk rubbish. If a man asks you out and you accept, don’t come back and say you’re sexually harassed. I have been a victim but I don’t want to call it sexual harassment. Mine was that, I was really frustrated then, but those people are not even in Nollywood now. That is why, if you try to delay another person’s destiny, you will not go far too. I am still in the industry now but they are nowhere to be found. They so much frustrated me because of one thing they can get in their houses. I cried and cried when I was going through that phase of my career. Everybody around me then in Nollywood knew that I could cry. I don’t know if it really happens now because what I am talking about happened some 10 years ago.
As an actress, which movie has been the most challenging to you?
Every movie that I have featured in is challenging because they are all different. Sometimes I’m given time to study the script before I start shooting; so I get into the character properly. But I still try as much as I can to do better because I don’t want to disappoint my fans. The movie that I think is most challenging is titled, ‘Lost Maiden.’ It is not a Nigerian movie.
I have done other good jobs but this one is still on my mind because it was a village setting. Having to work late into the night is the hardest part of being on location. I was really stressed and my director is a very young guy – he was drilling me until he got the character he wanted. I also love the movie titled – White Hunters – because it was a comedy. I have done great movies that are all challenging and I thank God.
Tell us about your most embarrassing moment for playing a part in a movie?
I am used to it now. Before I used to feel bad at people’s reactions. At a time I just had to close my ears to all the negative comments.
How do you cope with stardom?
Stardom comes and goes. I think in life nothing is permanent. So you can’t just allow it get into your head; it could vanish any time. I think it depends on how your manage it, though I have seen people who are not humble and eventually collapsed.
Which role can a producer give you that you will find difficult to accept?
I have done all the minor parts in the past. I can still do two or three things that I know are traditionally accepted in Nigeria and Africa. I cannot say for now. But any role that is not accepted in my country I cannot do.
Has there ever been a day you woke up feeling like not being an actress again?
Yes, three years ago, I felt like saying no to the industry because the job was too stressful. But thank God, here I am today moving on with my job.
What is your hobby?
I love reading. I have many inspirational books. Sometimes I go singing karaoke. I like viewing movies at the cinema. If I’m not working, I like to be at home.
Are you married?
No, I’m single.
So when do you intend to get married?
When the time comes for me to get married I will surely do. I am not going to join the wagon. If you rush in, you will rush out. I am still young. I am in my 20s; so I am not rushing. My parents have been together for many years now. I will like to be like them. They are like brother and sister and they are always together. You see many unfaithful men and women who do not know what marriage is all about. It is better one doesn’t rush in.
Is it true that men are scared of marrying actresses?
I don’t know. But their job is like that of a pilot that is always in the air because they are always on location.
Who is your kind of man?
I used to know but now I don’t know. I can’t start saying this is what I want or don’t want. I believe God knows what will be better for me and he will surely give me what I want.
What advice do you have for the up and coming ones?
People should go to school before coming into the industry because it will help them a lot. You see a lot of them out there who want to be actors, models and so on. My advice for them is that they should go to school because after their schooling Nollywood will still be there. They will even be appreciated the more when they go to school before going into the movie industry. They should take life seriously and not allow pressure to affect them negatively.