Why I will continue acting, directing movies until my last breath – Haruna Mai Fata
Story by Aliyu ASKIRA, Kano
Haruna Talle Mai Fata, a renowned actor, director and a unionist in Kannywood, has been making blockbusters and interesting movies for decades for fans in Nigeria and worldwide.
Mai Fata is based in Jos, Plateau State. He hails from the popular Mai Fata family and has been producing, directing and acting movies for close to 20 years.
Haruna, who is also the Sardauna of Northern Youths Union, has won several awards and is considered one of the richest film producers in Kannywood.
He is also a businessman with over four companies that specialise in the manufacturing of durable plastic materials.
He also has houses in Jos and Kano respectively. The actor is known for staying in his personal house whenever he is in Kano to direct a film, against lodging in hotels as other celebrities do.
He said he adopted the habit to ensure his comfort, safety, as well as to reduce cost.
Neptune Prime correspondent had an interesting and exclusive interview with the Kannywood legend.
Excerpts of the Interview
Neptune Prime (N.P): You are always seen in Kano, not Jos, even though your family is based in Jos. Is it true that one can only make it as an actor when based in Kano?
READ ALSO: Popular Kannywood actor appointed Quasain TV Director-General
Mai Fata: No, Kano is the centre of Kannywood because it has several A-grade actors and actresses, it also has many television houses where one can easily sell their films, but I live in Jos and do most of my business in Jos. The issue is that if you want to shoot a film in which you are the producer, you can decide to go to any location of your choice because you are the one to pay the crew.
But Kano is unique because, for a long time, it has been the centre of commerce and film production, even though the headquarters of the Nigerian Film Corporation is based in Jos.
N.P: What can you say has been your gain while acting and directing films?
Mai Fata: I got several gifts and money from people who admire my roles in films, I am a graduate, and I own more than four companies. I have houses in Jos and Kano, basically the film industry made me and I will continue to be an actor and director till I die, except if destiny changes my life.
N.P: Can you allow your children to act?
Mai Fata: They are already acting, the senior one is about 15 years old and he is already acting. If you watch my films, I always promote decency among the youths so that people will not continue to see us as useless members of society.
N.P: Former President Muhammadu Buhari wanted to build a film village in Jos, but it was condemned by the Ulamas. What is your take on that?
READ ALSO: Kannywood actress Amal Umar faces charges of alleged bribery
Mai Fata: It is very unfortunate, if you are watching Nollywood and Bollywood, you will discover that Kannywood is more decent. Apart from that, thousands of youths, male and female, earn their living from Kannywood, instead of turning to crime.
Government should invest in Kannywood, because we are large employers of labour, the so called sexual harassment you hear in the industry is found in other professions, not only in Kannywood but we are doing our best to sanitise the industry, also we have now diversify by producing our films in series instead of VCD to avoid downloading. That pays better.
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