By Damilola Sholola

S andra Alhassan, born of a Nigerian Fulani and Benin mother, is a fast rising actress who is charting another course in her career. Almost done with her second  production as a producer, she is moving on the fast lane to the big league. But for her, there were prices to pay. One, her Fulani background isn’t such that smiles at the profession. Two, like many actresses, she had to go through some unethical senior colleagues. This is the testimony of a Fulani girl in the make-believe world of acting:

What was life like growing up as a Fulani girl in Lagos?

Sandra-Alhassan

It was cool and sweet. I will say I had an easy upbringing because my parents are well-to-do. My father is late now, so it was my mum that did most of the parenting. I was born in Gbagada Phase 11. I went to Crown and Coronet Nursery/Primary School. From Gbagada we later moved to Ogudu G.R.A where I went to Mictec International School.

At a point we left Nigeria to Niger and stayed away for seven years before coming back. When we returned we moved to our house in Ikeja G.R.A. So, I can never say I grew up as a Fulani girl but as a Lagos girl.

Why in the trade?

It has always been my dream to be an actress and I still thank God because my mum supported me so much. She was even the person that got me the connection to my first shot at real acting after my solo effort failed. In 2008 I tried severally to be part of audition for Tinsel but I never had the chance because the studio was always frustrating my effort.

Sometimes, I would go home crying in the bus and thinking if ever I would see my dream come true. All along my mum was watching and doing her own homework. One day she came and gave the phone number of Afeez Owo who incidentally became my boss and trained me in the trade.

Isn’t your lifestyle a bit against the tenets of your religion?

I don’t think so. I’m a proud Muslim. I believe religion is a thing of the mind. Though I believe if my father were alive he would frown at some aspects of it but in his lifetime he allowed us some measure of freedom with our lives.

Are you working on any movie now?

I’m actually working on a soap opera called ‘Neighbour Palava’. It’s a pidgin comedy TV series

Who are in the series with you?

For now, we have only Funky Mallam but by our next coming location, we should have two or three more stars in it

What really are you, a producer or an actress?

Both. I’m a producer and I’m an actress as well

What has been your biggest movie production?

The one I produced that actually brought me recognition is a Yoruba film. It is still being talked about in the industry. The title is Eni Okunkun, meaning ‘Person of Darkness’.

Was that the first movie you produced?

Yes it was, but I’ve featured in so many Yoruba films and soap operas before that. It was merely my first effort as a movie producer.

Which has been the most successful movie you’ve starred in?

There’s Jaiyeola Ni Monje, it’s a big Yoruba film. I’ve also featured in Shoprite; there, I played as a village girl. Also in Olowo Aiye, I played the daughter of Iya Osun in a village. In Ere Aiye, I played more like a prostitute who politicians would come and pick us up. In ‘Semi lore’, I played as a secretary to Odunlade Adekola.

In ‘Painter Ofege’ which would be out soon, I played a prostitute as well. For soap operas, I’ve featured in ‘Face to Face’ and ‘Family Ties’ but I wasn’t a major character there. In ‘Tales of Eve’, I played a prisoner. Then there was ‘Oluso’ which is a Yoruba soap opera, I also played as a prostitute. In ‘Awo Kogbon’ which is also a soap opera, I played a prostitute there as well. In Akaba, I played as a normal student. Those are the ones that I can remember

You seem to get prostitute roles easily. Does that tell anything about the real you?

As an actress I can deliver any role assigned to me. Don’t get it twisted. I have played many other roles and I don’t see myself as a stereotype actress, particular not a prostitute. I play any role because I interpret my roles very well

But has any producer or director ever explained why they love casting you as a prostitute?

It seems you are getting it twisted. As a young girl I can’t be cast as a mother, can I? Yes, mostly as a student or ‘runs girl’, it fits my structure. No one ever explained why they cast me as a prostitute. Perhaps, they cast me as such because I am sexy and fresh.

Can you do something very shocking in a movie?

Sandra-Alhassan

To me when I act, I act with all my strength, all my energy and I act as if it’s real. I act as if it’s happening to me so that’s just it

Whom do you have the superb chemistry working with on set?

I like working with Femi Adebayo on set. He’s the kind of person that corrects your mistakes without embarrassing you or even letting you know about it. He has this unique way of carrying you along without making you feel out of place or like an amateur. If it were some other people they would make great fuss about it and may end up making you feel like a flop. Femi is different.

One hears of actresses paying for roles. Have you ever done that?

No, never. I’ve only heard it happens and I believe it’s true but I’ve never done it.

What has been the highest point of your career?

I’m still looking up to God and I believe once my new soap opera ‘Neighbour Palava’ comes out, it could probably be a hit by the grace of God

What is the soap opera about?

‘Neighbour Palava’ is a comedy centred on life in a ‘face me I face you’ environment. It actually involves a house comprising of many tenants. In this house, we have a character called Iya Risi, a gossip. If she sees a little thing that happens, she exaggerates it and makes it very big. I played the role of Iya Risi. We also have this landlord; he’s a very mischievous landlord.

Once you go to him and gossip with him, you can get one month rent off. In this house, we also have a character known as ‘Professor’ who uses big English words to relate with people. There are some other characters and in fact, it’s a very funny stuff. Funky Mallam is playing the role of Baba Iya Risi

How far do you see yourself going as an actress?

If you find yourself growing you should thank God. For me, I think and I believe that I’m growing because to shoot a soap opera is not easy without the support of a marketer or someone. I started as an actress; I never knew I was going to be a producer. I believe once my program gets popular, things would get a lot better

Have you ever had a crush on any actor before?

Yes, John Dumelo

What’s your worst experience on the job?

I once had a terrible experience with a producer but I won’t mention his name. He is a popular English producer. What happened was that he invited me to feature in his film but said I had to take care of myself, including the transportation to Asaba, my lodging, feeding and everything. To shock me the more he said I would work for free and had to go to bed with one of his friends. It was just too much for me to take, so I walked away. Afterward, he tried to reach me on phone but I never picked his call, ever again.

How do you maintain your pretty looks?

I use good cream and I don’t go out in a hot weather. If it’s a must for me to go out in a hot weather, I’ll just shower without using any cream then go. When I come back, I’ll take my bath with shower milk

What more should people expect from Sandra?

I just want people to watch out for ‘Neighbour Palava’ because it’s a comedy that will bring laughter into your homes. It is meant to bring harmony in homes by giving them something to laugh about. Once it is time for ‘Neighbour Palava” you can be sure it is time for family laughter time.