The Hausa film industry has been dealt a heavy blow with the passing of veteran actress Wasila Isma’il, who lost her battle with a prolonged illness. She was 46 years old.
Her estranged spouse, Al-Amin Chiroma, broke the news on social media platforms on Sunday. He disclosed that she breathed her last at the FOMWAN Hospital situated in Kaduna.
Hailing from Kaduna, the actress became a household name in Kannywood circles, thanks largely to her role in the 1999 picture ‘Wasila’. The film, directed by Yakubu Lere and co-starring Ali Nuhu, catapulted her to fame.
Isma’il first stepped into the acting scene in 1998, making her debut in the production ‘Jinin Masoya’. She once opened up about her early career in an interview, shedding light on why the title of her breakout film was altered from ‘Jamila’ to ‘Wasila’. She expressed discomfort with the original name, fearing it might cast a negative light on her persona. The director accommodated her request for a change.
In the wake of her death, fans and fellow actors have flooded social networks with tributes, highlighting her immense impact on the growth of Kannywood.