MOVIE ON ADO BAYERO IN THE WORKS

By Bayo Alade

The long-awaited shooting of a film that will depict the historical perspective of the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero, as the custodian of the religion and tradition of Kano people and the Kano Emirate Council has finally been produced.

Titled Bakan Dabo (Bow of the King), the project's cost is put at a conservative N15 million and is a brainchild of ace producer, Mahmud Ahmad Sarkin Fada, and Muhammad Auwal George (MAG), a popular director in the Hausa film genre.

The crew hit location at Kofar Kudu, the palace of the respected Kano monarch on the eve of the Eid-el-Fitri festival to shoot the traditional rites involved in the citing of the moon and subsequent announcement with gunshots to herald the commencement of Sallah celebrations. Bakan Dabo, the huge-budget flick which the producers pride as the first epic film on the

Kano traditional institution, will contain three segments – the historical, dramatic and true life story. It is coming under the auspices of Hasin Enterprises and Film Production and already has the full blessing of Alhaji Ado Bayero and the Kano Emirate Council. Auwal George said of the flick, “Bakan Dabo will be the first film on a living legend in the mould of the Emir of Kano.

"We see him as a legend that is very respected and adored in his leadership style, both at home and abroad. We are doing this as our own contribution to eulogise him and have something, a medium, to honour and further portray him to the coming generations.”

On his part, Sarkin Fada explained: “We are surprised that in spite of his awesome image and the rich history of Kano, no producer, both in the Hausa and English film sector has deemed it fit to honour the Emir with an epic film of this magnitude.

"This vacuum is what we have decided to fill and we are very glad for the kind of reception and goodwill being accorded to us so far. The project seems to have gotten the approval of all and sundry and regarded as long overdue,” he volunteered. Besides being shot on high-definition (HD) camera with special effects, the kind never witnessed in the Northern film industry before now, it also parades the finest artistes in this part of the country. Some of them include veterans such as Kasumu Yaro, Dauda Galadanchi, Hussaini Sule Koki, Ibrahim Muhammad Mandawari, Kabiru Nakwango, Isa Bello Ja, Dan Magori, Amina Garba (Dumba), Zainab Booth, Hauwa Ali Dodo (Biba), Hajiya Tambaya, Hajara Usman, Tambawa Kaduna and Hafsat Sharada (Me Aya).

Others who are mainly the latter generation of artistes in the Hausa film genre are Ali Nuhu, Shuaibu Lawal (Kumurchi), Sani Musa Danja, Mai Shinku Ibrahim, Salihu 'Hotman' Isah, Saratu Gidado and a lot more.

Asked who is behind the sponsorship, Auwal George disclosed that it is the only hiccup that perhaps confronts the realisation of the project as the response is nothing to write home about.

He, however, posited that this is not surprising as making huge budget films – especially an epic production have not been part of the Hausa film industry, popularly called Kannywood, since its birth some 15 years ago.

He, therefore, appealed for financial backing from interested individuals, corporate organisations as well as governments. He said, “We are calling on both individuals, corporate organisations and the various governments, especially in Northern Nigeria, to come out and identify with this project as we believe their effort will be hugely appreciated for supporting a worthy cause and for posterity.”

Bakan Dabo, to be marketed by Jarat Marketing Services, is expected to be premiered internationally, just like the last three productions from the stable of Auwal George; namely, Abokin Kowa, a film on the Nigeria Police, which was endorsed by immediate past Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Sunday Ehindero; Rigarmu, a Fulani traditional flick; and the latest one, Ali Kwarra which were all launched into the foreign market.