I prefer marrying a rich man – Kannywood actress
Story from Saleh INUWA, Kano
Bilkisu Abdullahi had it rough according to reliable sources, which she refused to confirm or deny. According to multiple sources, she came to Kano with nothing and was so desperate to join Kannywood to make money and become a star. One popular producer, Baba Karami, kept her for months in their private guest house before allowing her to feature in a film when she threatened to expose his atrocities to stakeholders in Kannywood.
But she has now become a household name in Kannywood, riding jeeps and other expensive cars.
First, she came to Kano after her father who hitherto lives in Lagos, retired from service, while her mother a Fulani from Yola insisted to stay in Lagos after the death of her husband. In fact, she has since remarried in Lagos, but Bilkisu Abdullahi decided to locate to Kano to stay with her guardian.
READ ALSO: Kano divorcee cancels 2nd wedding because groom sent her gifts in polythene bag
Last week she spoke with Neptune Prime’s correspondent, Saleh Inuwa, about her challenges, sex for roles and why she almost quit acting.
Neptune Prime: What state are you from?
Bilkisu: My father is from Kano, which means that I am an indigene of Kano State and my mother is a Fulani from Yola. I was brought up by a responsible family. By the way, all the things people are hearing about that are taking place in Kannywood are not true. The industry is so decent and one can be proud to belong to it, even though if you are new and you start getting a series of roles alongside senior Kannywood stakeholders, people would start making all sorts of allegations, but all in all, I am happy with what is happening in Kannywood and the sky is my limit.
NP: You are now one of the actresses working in Baba Karami’s Company, we are aware that there are several allegations against Baba Karami whose real name is Abdullahi Sani Abdullahi, that he hardly features a lady in his film without her compromising her body for him. Did you encounter that and how did you handle it?
Bilkisu: Well before joining Kannywood, I heard of all sorts of dirty allegations against producers and directors. When I decided to join Kannywood, I didn’t know anybody in the industry, so my brother introduced me to Baba Karami who engaged me and featured me in one of his films ‘Aikin Duhu’, that was my first film, and since then I have been getting offers from different directors and producers. But in any society, there are bad eggs, but such did not happen to me, when I became successful and started riding expensive cars people started calling me all sorts of names.
NP: What is the storyline of ‘Aikin Duhu’ meaning the implication of darkness?
Bilkisu: It was about me meeting one guy in a Keke Napep, he asked for my number and I refused to give him because I thought he had nothing to offer, only for me to discover later that he is extremely rich which I regretted so much. The truth is even in real life I will prefer to marry a rich man, remember when you came here 6 years ago to interview me I was looking poor, see me today a rich star and beautiful society lady.
NP: Before now you only watch Kannywood actors and actresses from a distance, now you are a part and parcel of them, how did you feel?
Bilkisu: I feel marvellous that today I am sitting side by side with Ali Nuhu, Adam A. Zango, Sadiq Sani Sadiq. It’s like a dream to me, but honestly, since I am now about seven years in the industry, I have myself become a star and I am finding it difficult to move freely in town because of thousands of fans. Some want to see me, some want to have my number, while others including my female fans are interested in having me as their friends or to take photographs with.
NP: There are actresses not as beautiful as you are, you are tall, slim, and beautiful but yet you didn’t penetrate the industry very fast, why?
Bilkisu: I heard people accusing me that I am arrogant, but your compliment alone shows that I have made it in the industry and I am really happy with your compliment. The truth is I will never zip down for any amount, some ladies are in Kannywood only to hustle, they can do anything to secure roles in big films. I am not like that and I will never do that, for me to sleep with a director or producer for him to feature me in his film I better quit the industry, my womanhood is my pride and it will remain so until I get married.
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