Kannywood actor, Sani Danja, makes Nollywood debut

Danja has been acting, producing, and directing Kannywood moves since 1999.By Christabel Abiodun

Multi-talented Kannywood actor and singer, Sani Danja, famous for his unique costumes and Indian song- dance routines, is currently on set, for a new Nollywood movie titled ‘Daughter of the River.’

The film, directed by Ernest Obi and shot on locations in Enugu, is Danja’s first lead role in the competitive Nollywood industry.

In the film, the actor plays a prince (Ojiofor Acolyte), whose identity was shielded away from the public because he was born outside the royal home. He was however, discovered when his father became bedridden and the search for the next King began.

Danja, a Globacom ambassador, says all hands have been on deck since the shooting began three months ago.

“We have been working day and night to make this movie an award winning film. The movie has a lot a story to relay to the audience,” he says.

Other stars like Pete Edochie, Yul Edochie, Ebere Okaro, Patience Ozokwor also play major roles in the flick.

Danja first ventured into the Hausa movie industry, in 1999, in the film `students’ (dalibai), a film he produced and directed alongside his business partner, Yakubu Muhammad. Following the success of the project, he produced and featured in `Adon kishiya’ a year later.

The actor, who also models, says he plans to produce a movie that bothers around the Sickle Cell disorder.

“I am astounded by the fact that some 150, 000 Nigerian children are born annually with the condition because their parents have failed to take the necessary precaution of having their genotypes tested,” he said.

Danja also adds that the focus will be on people in the rural areas with a view to sensitizing them on the effects of the condition and measures to be taken to prevent it.

With an acting career that has spanned 13 years; he has directed over 300 Hausa (Kannywood) films. They  include, Manakisa, Kwarya tabi Kwarya, Jaheed, Nagari, Wasiyya, Harsashi, Gidauniya, Daham, Jarida, Matashiya, Zuga-zugi, Jan kunne, Gambizam Raga and Tsumagiya.