One of the most prominent Hausa film actresses in the Kannywood industry, HAUWA ABUBAKAR AYAWA, popularly known as AZIMA GIDAN BADAMASI, an actress who has spent years in the industry and is a former producer in the Kannywood industry, Rumbun Nishadi interviewed her, where she revealed to readers some issues related to her film career and some issues related to her life. Here is the interview with our agent, RABI’AT SIDI BALA, as follows:
First of all, tell the readers your full name and a brief history.
My name is Hauwa’u Abubakar Ayawa, popularly known as Azima gidan badamasi. I was born in Kaduna, I live in Kaduna, I did my primary school in Kaduna, and my secondary school at GGSS Kwatarkwashi, Zamfara State. After that, I came back and joined the Computer. Then I started doing makeup, but I didn’t focus on it. From there, I now have a Fashion House where I sew and sell bags, shoes, materials, and other items related to the collection.
If I understand you, you mean that after movies you are doing some other business?
Yes! I have my own shop where I sell lace, dresses, bags, shoes, and materials; I sew if you want. There are hijabs. I can tell you about children’s clothes, children’s shoes, everything is a ‘collection’ of ‘Ayawa Collection’s’ here in Kaduna.
What attracted you to get involved in the Kannywood industry?
You know everything in life, there is something God has planned for you, and whatever God has planned for you, you will see it come true. First of all, I can tell you that my mother is a former producer who used to produce films. Momi Jamila Haruna, may God hear her, said that they had been together since they were children. We didn’t know we would get into the industry until we got into the industry.
How was the struggle to enter the industry?
Yes! Well, you know life is not something you can say you don’t have any problems or worries about, but I can honestly tell you Alhamdulillah I live with everyone safely and I have never had any problems with anyone, and you will see that I have not done many films, everyone I meet is on location, if you see me with an actor or actress, it is indeed on location, you see where there is no meeting, there will be no problems, the chance of meeting is for two or three days and we part ways laughing. Then I told you that it is a badamasi house and we spend a month or two together, everyone has a separate room when we come back to work at night, you will go to your room, and then tomorrow we will meet.
About your parents, when you went to them and told them that you wanted to enter the film industry, did you get any challenges from them or not?
No! I didn’t get it as I said before my mother is a former producer, even when I went to her with the matter I didn’t get any problem one thing she said we didn’t give her only me, if I go and get my father everything he said, the day I went to get my father I will never forget a word he said we didn’t give I felt good about it he said; what about education? I said I will continue, what about marriage? I said Dad, he said Is it time? Just put the intention, I laughed and said God willing, Dad, please pray for us. God brought us good men, he said, Amen. Then he said Mom, I said yes, do you want it? He kept asking three times. I said yes, he said God, God made it so it is the best, I wish you the best, God, take care of you and protect you in this industry you are going to enter, I said amen.
When you first entered the Kannywood industry, which actress did you first meet,, and who is your best friend in the industry?
The actress we first met was Aunty Jamila Nagudu, whom we worked with in Kano and Mr. Ali Nuhu, they were the first people we met, I am all my brothers and sisters in kannywood, we have been together since I was in the industry, they are more than my friends and we are close in the power of God.
What was your first film like?
Alhamdulillah I can tell you that I did not feel any fear or anxiety because I loved it, I expected it to be so, whatever I was asked to do as long as it did not go against my dignity, my religion, my culture, then I would do it no matter what, I would stand firm and make it ‘perfect’ as desired. I will never forget this. Mustapha M. Sharif was my first director in the world of Kannywood because of something I did when I first made my film ‘Mussaffir’, when I started something that impressed him, he stopped and checked. He said How many films do you have? I said I had never made a film, he said, ‘Are you serious?’ I said I have never made a film, brother. He called Obi, but he didn’t agree. It was my first film. Who is this girl? Here in Kaduna, they said her name was Hauwa Ayawa, but she has never made a film. They said she has never made a film, he said Wow! He was impressed and said honestly, Go and buy her ‘sweets’ and I bought some sweets. I ate them and we continued working.
After your first film came out, did you hear about it at that time, and what kind of looks did the rest of the community give you, like people from the neighborhood, friends, and even brothers?
Yes! Sister, you know it won’t be lost, honest words will be spoken, and they are often spoken, but I only do what I set out to do, since I know it is a profession, and I will do it with the permission of God. If God wills, I will try to do something that will not harm my religion, and I will not bring my parents into trouble, I will not tarnish my honor, the honor of our home. I think even if I hear the words, it must bother you, but I turned a deaf ear and closed my eyes because I know that I am doing it with the consent of my parents, and that is what makes me happy when I remember. I was talking to myself, “Hawa’u, my parents left me, so what should I worry about? I am seeking their blessings, so what happened? Just continue with what you are doing, you know that there are always nine people, if someone praises you, someone else must hate you, or someone loves you, someone else must see the opposite.” Well, but the words were spoken, we heard it, but with the power of God, everything passed, we are in good health, so thank God, and we ask God to show us His blessings.
How old are you from the time you started acting until now?
Honestly, sister, if I told you the ‘time’ when I started acting, I would be lying. I can’t remember when I started acting, honestly.
Can you remember how many films you have done?
I have done quite a few films, although many have not been released, the ones that have not been released are more than the ones that have, honestly, but I have done films by the power of God, the house of badamasi, and you know the name that I am now called, now I have left Hauwa and returned to Azima, or brothers, friends, everyone Azima, when did I even say to my mother “when I cut the lamb and come back my name is Azima” I laughed, she said “Don’t you like Hauwa’un?” I said I like Hauwa’u, but people now change our name to Azima. Honestly, there are films, but I can’t count how many.
Which movie is your favorite among the movies you have appeared in, and why?
Honestly, the movie you saw me in, I loved it. All the movies you saw me in that I have done are all kinds of movies, I love it, and I am proud of this movie.
Is there any part in the movie or the movie itself that you have done later that you have always wished you had done, if there is, why?
Honestly, there is none.
Are there any challenges that you have ever faced since entering the industry?
Ah! There are many sisters, but I have nothing to say except that I leave everything to God, God knows best, God is the only one who can help us, but there is truth.
