Kannywood movie review; Tsakaninmu

The Kannywood's popular producer-director duo, Abubakar Bashir Maishadda and Ali Nuhu, often tell stories of 'a rich boy Vs poor girl' in their films. Their new release, Tsakaninmu, also narrates the same tale but through a wide plot with exciting intricacy.

Fahad (Umar M. Sharif), the son of a business tycoon Alh. Rabi'u (Nura Hussaini), is deeply in love with a poor daughter, Nafisa (Maryam Yahaya). He later parts from her for Rumaisa (Maryam booth), a daughter of his father's old friend Professor Tahir (Ali Nuhu), to fulfill his father's wish. Rumaisa studies abroad. She marries Fahad after her return but the marriage fails. Fahad divorces her as she is highly westernized and thus, unable to uphold her traditional marital responsibilities, among other things. This brings the over 40 year long relationship between their parents to an abrupt stop.

On the other side, Nafisa's father (Yakubu Muhammad) dies and leaves her and her two brothers in abject poverty. She, however, turns a deaf ear to her greedy mother who bullies her into immoral ways to get riches for the family. Later, Fahad reunites with her. They revive their relationship and get married in the end.

Indeed, Tsakaninmu is an interesting film. It's about the clash between westernisation and cultural traditions. we see how Fahad's marriage to Rumaisa fails for the same reason. Also, the breakage of the old friendship between their parents does symbolize 'intermarriage' as a make-or-break affair.

The film, additonally, sends a moralistic message that; whoever fears Allah, he will make a way out for him. We see how Nafisa remains steadfast in sticking to her decency despite the bullying from her greedy mother. For that, Allah brings, the wealthy Fahad, back to her life. He, respectfully helps her family out of poverty and marries her as well.

The story, though compelling, has a flip side towards the middle when Fahad took his father to Nafisa in a bid to win her back. Those scenes look a bit far-fetched. The narrative should have also been sequential without any flashback.

The camera work and sound are up to the mark. But while the dialogue is good, the subtitle is not only shoddy but also quite incomprehensible. I wonder why Hausa film makers don't always employ good subtitlers to do the work!

In the cast; M. Sharif delivered and both  Maryams, Yahaya and booth, are first rate. Nura Husaini's rendition as a business tycoon has no match and Ali Nuhu played the role of Prof. Tahir with a profound expertise. Other supporting actors such as Abba el Mustapha and Baballe Hayatu are also not left behind.

On the whole, Tsakaninmu is a must watch film for all. It tries to pack emotions and drama in an entertaining way. I strongly recommend; don't miss it.