It's our pleasure as we welcome you to yet another interesting episode of our weekly series #INTERVIEWFRIDAY. If you missed last week's edition you see see it here. This week we decided to host one of Nigeria's Finest Movie and Music export SANI DANJA. In a telephone conversation with SEETEAZAIN, the multi-Award winning Entertainment Mogul discloses his plans for 2015, his 20 years in the Industry, Late IBRO, DANJA RECORDS among other issues. Relax and Read this exciting conversation.
SEETEAZAIN: Good Day and Welcome to #INTERVIEWFRIDAY. How are you doing?
SANI DANJA: Am fine and thanks for having me.
SEETEAZAIN: SANI DANJA has grown to be the Biggest Brand to have emerged from the North. Tell us how it all started.
SANI DANJA: It all started 15years ago. It started from Movies then i started singing but we give God all the thanks.
SEETEAZAIN: KANNYWOOD is still strugling to retain it's position in the Movie Industry but has been faced with major challenges in recent times. What role have you played to improve the standard of this great institution?
SANI DANJA: The impact i and my colleagues are making is to try to shoot and promote our movies outside the country. We have also attracted more investors to the industry. You can comfortable advertize your products through our movies.
SEETEAZAIN: You have featured in numerous NOLLYWOOD Movies, what do you think are the major differences between NOLLYWOOD and KANNYWOOD?
SANI DANJA: For me i think the major difference is that kannywood is doing more indigenous movies that promotes our culture, language among other things while NOLLYWOOD is more of the western culture.
SANI DANJA: It all depends on how challenging the role is , how long you stay on set but sometimes KANNYWOOD pays more and vice versa.
SEETEAZAIN: Word on the street is that KANNYWOOD is centrally based in Kano and has also deprived other Northern states opportunity to make their own contribution. How true is this statement?
SANI DANJA: No that's not true. The fact is that Kano is the heart or the center of the industry and that's why it's called KANNYWOOD. Everything starts from the there and also many of our Producers, Actors and stakeholders live in Kano. Concerning the rumor that other Northern States are deprived of their various contributions is a lie. If you have a very good movie and a good advert it doesn't matter if you coming from Maiduguri, Jos, Bauchi or any other state people will buy the movie and another important fact is that even if you produce your movies outside Kano you still might need to come and sell them in Kano because they have the Biggest Market in the country.
SEETEAZAIN: When was the last time you shot a movie outside Kano?
SANI DANJA: About 2 months ago.
SEETEAZAIN: Do we have any Organization responsible for regulating the activities of KANNYWOOD?
SANI DANJA: You know an Organization is the coming together of different individuals who share the same interest or goals.We have many organizations like AREWA and others.
SEETEAZAIN: SANI DANJA and ALI NUHU are considered to be strong rivals. Is that true?
SANI DANJA: Laughs. Yes we are but in the face of our fans but outside the scene he is my very good friend.
SEETEAZAIN: Last year, KANNYWOOD and NOLLYWOOD lost a veteran actor IBRO. What was your relationship with him?
SANI DANJA: IBRO was a very good friend of mine and we were very close to each other. He is one of the few people that started KANNYWOOD. He was very simple, always minding his own business and i don't think anyone can replace him in the industry.
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| SANI DANJA (L) and KANNYWOOD Colleagues |
SEETEAZAIN: Away from movies, 2014 was also a big one, Sani Danja had many collabos and hits like BASU IYAWA featuring TERRY, OREZI in SHOKI( HAUSA VERSION), MAIRO, and of course song of the moment ALHAJI. Any more collabos possibly an album this year?
SANI DANJA: Yes my fans should be expecting more hits and collabos. Talking about collabos i intend to feature foreign artistes this year.
SEETEAZAIN: APRIL 19,2015 SANI DANJA will be celebrating 20 years on stage. How has the journey been for you?
SANI DANJA: It has been like a sailing ship, smooth and rough sometimes but you know no matter what we have a focus and we have a direction we are to. By God's grace we are here, 20 years in the industry and we hope and pray to continue with more success stories.
SEETEAZAIN: The event promises to be the most anticipated event of the year, any Guest appearances?
SANI DANJA: Yes is a day of "SANI DANJA AND FRIENDS " and you should be expecting celebrities from the Movie Industry and of course my friends at the Music industry and infact it's going to be the Biggest concert of the year.
SEETEAZAIN: As the owner of DANJA RECORDS, have you signed any Artistes?
SANI DANJA: They will be unveiled by March this year about Five of them. Two male and Three female Artistes.
SEETEAZAIN: Last year you staged a competition called #MAIRO COMPETITION and yet no winner has been announced till date. What really happened?
SANI DANJA: The competition is still on and the winner will be announced next month.
SEETEAZAIN: Are we expecting to see more competitions probably a "SANI DANJA TALENT HUNT"?
SANI DANJA: That is something i have been doing for a long time but is not more of a talent hunt is just like an empowerment programme where youths are been nurtured and motivated. The reason behind the #MAIRO competition was to give somebody an opportunity to showcase his/her talent.
SEETEAZAIN: What has been the SANI DANJA's Best Moment?
SANI DANJA: There is quite a number of Awards i will never forget in my life because they are very special to me.
SEETEAZAIN: Any embarassing moment?
SANI DANJA: I dont think i have ever had any think like that but i had a show where many people sat down on a fence and eventually the fence collapsed. You know when people come together to celebrate and such an incident happens it isn't pleasant at all.
SEETEAZAIN: You also bagged numerous Awards and Endorsement deals. Tell us how much you made last year?
SANI DANJA: Laughs. I made some substantial amount.
SANI DANJA: I think everybody needs to come together and tackle this problem instead of leaving every responsibility to others. We should also try not to be idle inorder to avoid been a tool in the hands of some selfish individuals because these individuals capitalize on our financial issues.
SEETEAZAIN: Final words to fans and many youths looking up to SANI DANJA as a role model.
SANI DANJA: I want them to be believe in themselves, keep doing your thing believing God you are going to make it. Also remember the saying "A THOUSAND MILES BEGIN WITH A STEP"
SEETEAZAIN: Thank you for having this interesting conversation with us and we hope to come and celebrate with you come APRIL 19, 2015.
SANI DANJA: Sure and once again it's my pleasure.
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