Saratu Daso Gidado: Exit of Kannywood iconic actress | The Guardian Nigeria News

The news of Hajiya Saratu Gidado’s death shook the movie landscape. Her colleagues in Kannywood, as the movie industry in Northern Nigeria is called, described her death as ‘shocking’, as she was reportedly ‘not sick at all’. Foremost actor and producer, Makama Sanni Mu’azu, in a widely published tribute to the actress, said it was with sadness and regret that he received the news of the death of one of Kannywood’s renowned actors, Hajiya Saratu Gidado, popularly known as Daso, by her fans around the world. In the words of Makama Jos: “She went to bed and slept off soundly last night as confirmed by her first son only for her to fail to show up today. She died in her sleep. Shocking really but for a Muslim, we know that death is inevitable and it can come calling any time.”

Described as one of the most prolific and versatile actors in Nigeria, who interprete roles in different genres, Mu’azu disclosed that he had a good working relationship with the lady. She was very fluent in her roles in both Hausa and English. ‘’I had personally worked with her in several movies. She even stayed with my family in Jos while working on a movie I directed Dan-Gari. Her work ethics were remarkably professional. Her ability to grasp the complexity of a role was amazing. Interpretation of the role with her was magical. On behalf of my family and the Board of Trustees of MOPPAN, I wish to sincerely extend my condolences to her immediate family members, all practitioners based in Kano and the entire film industry in Nigeria for this huge loss.”

In Kannywood, Saratu, who is a recipient of the Zuma Film Festival Lifetime Achievement Award, is queen. The Fulani-born actress who was raised in Kano is roundly regarded as one of the leading ladies of Kannywood. A multiple award -winning actress and top rate comedienne, Saratu is hailed and given the kind of adulation top actresses such as, Patience Ozokwo and Sola Sobowale get in Nollywood. Not only has Saratu’s memorable performances fetched her a number of awards and earned her northern wide recognition, her skills as an actress and comedienne have made her a household name in that circle where she commands a large following.

An acting ‘auntie’ to a number of young female actors and a former school teacher who had to dump teaching for acting when she realised she couldn’t combine both acting and teaching, Saratu rose to prominence for playing the role of a devious mother in most Kannywood films. Her colleagues say she is clearly the first choice for producers who desire an actress that can interprete controversial and mischievous roles in films.

Star of some critically acclaimed movies like Gidauniya, Sansani, Mashi and Filazal, Saratu, an alumnus of Kaduna Polytechnic and the Cambridge University, London, where she obtained a Diploma in Business Administration and Certificate in Human Psychology respectively, had a stint as a primary school teacher before she joined Kannywood. The old girl of WTC Kano, who is also grounded in Arabic, said she took the decision to abandon teaching because it was difficult to “combine acting with a paid job that demands that you report to work at 8.00am and close at 4.00pm.” The other reason Saratu gave in an earlier interview was that she found acting a more viable platform to ‘teach and reach a diverse audience’.

An actress who has spent close to two decades as a performer, Saratu got her break when she featured in the urban telling Garuwashi. It took that effort and a few others after it including, Nagari for the curtain of fame, fortune and fulfilment to open for the humble and personable actress who explained that it is not by choice that she plays a villain in most movies she has featured in. She declared that she merely lives the role she is cast to play. ‘’I am not the one who cast myself. We are given roles to play and because my work is to interprete roles, any role I am given, I do my best to interprete it. But if it turns out that I have played much of those roles of villain, it is because the directors feel that I can deliver. But I have been lucky to play different roles. My duty as an actress is to bring the character to life and to look as convincing as possible,” she said in an earlier interview.

With Garuwashi and Nagashi, Saratu’s profile rose and her fan base swelled. They nicknamed her ‘Daso’, a name that has come to replace her given names. Some critics have compared her with popular Nollywood actress Patience Ozokwo because of her ability to portray comic roles and devious characters as Ozokwo does in Nollywood movies. When Sarah was asked if some of her fans think she is devious in real life as she is on screen, she smiled and explained: “I have had to stop and explain to viewers that I am not a wicked person in real life. I am only doing a job and it is all make believe. In fact, we are direct opposites of the characters we play in movies.”

But has acting been financially rewarding? Saratu said it has. In her words: “I may not have all the monies in the world, but I am comfortable and I am happy with the popularity and commendation that my involvement in acting has brought my way. I have been able to accomplish a couple of personal projects and I have also been able to meet very top personalities. I go to places and people are willing to assist me. Also, it was through the movies that I met my husband. He saw me in one of my movies and got attracted to me and today we are happily married. These are things that money cannot get for you. So, I have been very lucky and I am grateful to Allah.”

Saratu has no regret joining Kannywood. She explained that she was glad that she was able to follow her dream. She also said that it was easy for her to make up her mind because she had ‘wonderful colleagues and a family’ that urged her on.

Asked about her career ambition, Saratu said her ambition was to consistently remain on top of her acting career. She also wanted to be engaged in some advocacy and also, she wanted to be able to work across industries like in Nollywood and Bollywood.

With Light out on Daso, fans will only get to see their beloved actress in movies such as Gidauniya, Gidan Iko, Jakar Magori, Mazan Baci, Mazan Fama, Rintsin Kauna, Shelah, Uwar Kudi, Yammaci, Daham, Sammeha, Gani Gaka, Ibro Ba Sulhu, There’s a Way and Ba Tabbas.