Muhammadu Rabi’u Rikadawa is among the few versatile actors the Hausa film trade has produced. Widespread for his multi-dimensional roles in each Hausa and English motion pictures, Baba Dan Audu, as he’s referred to as within the trade, has received a number of awards and his function within the TV collection: ‘Past The Veil’, has earned him international recognition. On this chat with Weekend Belief, Baba Dan Audu takes us via his journey to stardom.
Youth
I used to be born and raised in Kaduna State. My father is from Godiya in Kabo Native Authorities Space, whereas my mom is from Rikadawa in Madobi Native Authorities Space, each of Kano State. At an early stage, I used to be despatched far-off from dwelling to check the Qur’an, a convention often called ‘Almajiranci’. I returned dwelling after finishing my research. It was at that second that I advised my mother and father that I wished to accumulate Western schooling, however my father particularly, kicked in opposition to it.
Nonetheless, with the assist of one in every of my grandparents, my brother and I have been enrolled at school, although we’re a lot greater than our classmates. Initially, I didn’t perceive what was being taught. Regularly, I picked up and excelled amongst my classmates. I used to be pushed to put in writing my widespread entrance examination forward of my classmates, as a result of at the moment, I already had the physique of an grownup. In the meantime, my brother dropped out of college and went forward to pursue different issues.
After my widespread entrance, I enrolled in a secondary college. It was whereas I used to be in secondary college that my expertise as an actor.
Journey to performing
My relationship with performing began in secondary college. I used to be a member of the Hausa drama society in our faculty, as a result of again then, as a child or a younger man rising up, my curiosity in performing was very sturdy and it manifested in virtually all my actions. Whereas at school, throughout one in every of our holidays, the primary radio station in northern Nigeria: that’s Northern Nigeria Broadcasting Company (NBC) now Kaduna State Broadcasting Company (KSBC) began a drama programme and I used to be fortunate to have been a part of it.
The drama tagged ‘Bagiringirin ba’ turned a family identify within the then northern Nigeria. As a younger grownup, I performed a really important function in that drama and fortuitously, the drama turned so well-liked that we have been invited by the Federal Radio Company of Nigeria (FRCN) Kaduna. I used to be hooked up to a producer named Sabo Sulaiman, however as a substitute of putting me within the drama staff, he positioned me within the Present Affairs unit, showing in a programme titled: ‘Mind Belief’. After spending a while there, I used to be taken to do what I really like, which is drama. I later turned a drama script author and producer.
All this whereas, I used to be in secondary college. I later joined the NTA, the place I used to be hooked up to a kiddies drama sponsored by the United Nations Kids Fund (UNICEF). It was titled: ‘Allow them to be’. I used to be with the NTA till I graduated from secondary college.
After leaving secondary college, I made a decision to proceed with what I used to be doing. I used to be a key issue within the rested Tv Pageant (Telefest). I additionally took half in one of the vital celebrated kiddies drama: ‘Tales by moonlight’. I can bear in mind vividly that one of many producers suggested me to additional my schooling, which was why I went to the TV School and obtained a diploma in tv production. Whereas at NTA, I took half in one of many tv’s finest drama programmes, titled ‘Dila’.
Whereas nonetheless at NTA, an unbiased tv station referred to as DITV, was launched and one in every of my superiors at NTA suggested me to present it a attempt. I utilized and based mostly on my information, I acquired employed as a producer. I later got here to know that working with an organisation couldn’t maintain me as a household man. Subsequently, I resigned from the station and commenced to pursue my profession as an actor.
That was how I went into full time performing and the trade has been my main supply of revenue.
in a film scene
Memorable second as an actor
I can’t overlook the popularity my late father gave to my occupation. At any time when somebody went to my father to hunt help on points that needed to do with both prime authorities officers or businessmen, he requested them to see me for rapid response to their issues. The boldness my father had within the affect of the occupation outmoded the boldness I had in it. And the nice side of it’s that, each time we did as advisable by my late father, we have been victorious.
It made me perceive that it isn’t the quantity of wealth that one accumulates in a society that issues, however the recognition one has among the many members. Being seen as somebody who has that recognition by no different particular person than my father will stay my most memorable expertise on this life.
Secondly, one other memorable second as an actor was when the previous Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo singled me out for recognition. It occurred when all Kannywood practitioners have been gathered on the Villa, and after everybody had launched themselves, the vice chairman requested “the place is that man, Rikadawa”. I stood up and he mentioned, he may vividly bear in mind my face within the Tales by Moonlight drama. I used to be greatly surprised, as a result of I by no means knew what we did in these years. Folks nonetheless bear in mind them. That singular second taught me to proceed doing what I used to be doing as a result of individuals worth what we do as actors.
Views on the Hausa leisure trade
The Hausa leisure trade, particularly Kannywood has come a great distance. I need to confess that there was exceptional achievement within the sector, however there’s additionally a have to do extra.
It’s time for all of us within the trade to take what we do as a occupation and never a pastime. I took half in Tales by Moonlight, Magana Jari (English model), Journey of Waziri and lots of different TV dramas. I’ve been within the sector for fairly an inexpensive time.
I all the time say this; allow us to get extra data to spice up our occupation. The world is altering and I received’t relent on this name. You possibly can bear me witness that individuals like Rahama Sadau and Ali Nuhu are the place they’re at this time as a result of they’re educated.
Similarities between Nollywood and Kannywood
You see, to individuals like us who began this enterprise a very long time in the past, it was attributable to our curiosity in drama. However progressively, issues began to take form and metamorphose into one thing totally different. What I imply by one thing totally different is that, individuals began specializing in {financial} issues. Folks now earn via what they’re doing.
In context; Kannywood and Nollywood are the identical, however in content material, they’re totally different. I used to be a solid in Stephanie Okereke’s film titled: ‘Dry’. I’m within the TV collection on Amazon titled: ‘Past the Veil’. I’ve acted in a number of Nollywood and Kannywood motion pictures. I consider that has given me the appropriate to say one thing on each.
It’s unlucky that Kannywood lacks sponsors attributable to poor storylines and publicity of the practitioners. If individuals don’t spend money on Kannywood, it is going to take an extended time for the Hausa leisure trade to get to the place it desires.
What the trade wants are well-articulated tales that may communicate to the world and never scripts that talk to solely Hausa individuals. Lack of excellent tales is what relegated the trade to YouTube.
Secret of your success
I don’t assume I’ve any secret as an actor. Nonetheless, what I often do is, I don’t go to set with out realizing what the storyline of the film entails. Even when I’ve only some scenes to play, I make it possible for I am going via all the film idea as a result of I’ve a reputation, tradition and faith to guard. Subsequently, if I’ve any secret, maybe that will be it.
My advocacy for practitioners to get educated will all the time be my signature, and I received’t cease telling them to get educated.
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