TruthBlog: Can we meet you?
Qassim:
My name is Qassim Kareem, first child of two kids from a Muslim family of Mr and Mrs R. A Kareem, hail from Ogun state. My educational background isn't bad, after primary and secondary school, had National diploma in Electrical Electronics at Yaba college of Technology and currently studying Statistics in University of Ilorin.
TruthBlog: What do you do, Mr Qassim?
Qassim: I'm a Nollywood actor
TruthBlog: That's quite a beautiful one. How come you find yourself acting? What inspired you?
Qassim: Sighs... Well acting has been in me for a long time now. I literally started acting since my primary school days, you know there is always a drama group to entertain people during any event so,i do take part in drama, cultural dance, and other activities to entertain the guests. I could remember someone walked up to me and asking if it's everything I know how to do because the person noticed me mostly in all the activities.
What inspired me? Well I can't really say, since acting is what I really enjoy doing and I love to make impact in people, with that I wish to keep exploring my talent for people to see and learn from me, but I can remember vividly watching a Yoruba movie titled GUDUGBE directed by Mr. Kunle Afod who happens to be my boss. I was fascinated by the way he directed the movie so I was opportune to call him up and that's how I found myself in the movie industry.
TruthBlog: Sounds like its easy for anyone to be fascinated and place a call and be in the movie industry at the snap of fingers.
Qassim: Nope, not as easy as you think, Mr. Kunle Afod is the director of Legacy school of Performing Art with other bosses like Regina Chukwu, Samson Badejo (Fojusi), Sola Olaibi, Segun Tom Dollar etc. So I enrolled in the school after making the call and went through several training, should in case you aren't aware that aside from making movies on screen, we perform on stage also.
TruthBlog: Hmmm, Are your parent in support of your acting career?
Qassim: Well, Initially they weren't, you know what our parents want is usually for us to go to Law school, become Doctors, Engineers, Bankers etc, I literally started without their consent, I was always sneaking to rehearsals which wasn't that easy for me. Since it became glaring that acting is my passion and it's what I love doing, thereby making it possible for me not to hide any longer as make belief (Acting) is a profession one can't hide, I have their supports even if it's not full support because they still tell me "Iwe la ran e o" .
TruthBlog: [Chuckles]That's deep. So how do you manage to balance your academics and acting with you still on good standing in the prestigious Unilorin?
Qassim: Well, to be candid I must say it hasn't been easy but I give thanks to Allah for always seeing me through. I've been acting before I gained admission to Unilorin, I joined the acting school during my Polytechnic days. But for now, I only have much time when the school is on break.
TruthBlog: Quite a privileged Balance you've got Mr Qassim, Is there any movie you working on presently? If Yes, tell us about it.
Qassim: Yes, just finished working on set of Child's Right, produced by Kofoworola Akinlaja and directed by Kunle Afod. The movie is based on child marriage and it features the likes of Yinka Quadri, Binta Ago Mogaji, Yetunde Wunmi, Kunle Afod, Alhaji Okunnu, Toyin Adegbola, myself and others.
TruthBlog: Amazing list of Nollywood stars. So tell us what the Child's Right movie is all about?
Qassim: All centered on a girl who got married at age 14. Thereby relating to the world that Child marriage isn't proper, it can be said to be a form of child abuse which should be abolished.
TruthBlog: To be sincere, I personally can not wait to see the movie. I've also looked forward to an act that preaches abolishing child marriage. I'm glad we have one in view. So Mr Qassim, What should people expect from the movie and when should people be expecting it release?
Qassim: Aside the list of some Nollywood casts in the movie who delivered their roles to the best of their abilities, it carries a blend of educating and intriguing for the viewers sight.
I can't give a specific date for now but anticipate its release as soon as possible.
TruthBlog: Your journey so far, what challenges have you encountered?
Qassim: I must say as human we face challenges everyday, me starting my acting career without my parents consent was a challenge for me, because I tried so hard to convince them to understand my plight, sneaking to rehearsals, I remember taking part in the movie 'Ebolo' produced by Regina Chukwu in which I had to stay away from home for like 5days, it takes courage to do that under strict parents, many things I can't really say. But Glory be to Almighty Allah.
TruthBlog: Coming this far, have you been awarded in any form?
Qassim: Yes, been God all the way. With His support, I was awarded Best student ever in Legacy School of Performing Arts also Prominent Student in Association Of Statistics Student Unilorin and looking forward to adding more feathers to my cap.
TruthBlog: What keeps you going when giving up arises?
Qassim: Whatever I do, I pray to God for His guidance and directions. That helps in stormy times.
TruthBlog: I could conclude like Mr Qassim is a lover of his God. What do you have to say to upcoming actors and people that want to go into acting?
Qassim: Of course I am, He is my creator, I should be grateful to Him in all situations... Would encourage them to be prayerful, to be focused and not get discouraged easily,have an educational background. Moreso, to always believe in their dreams and talent having at the back of their minds, that there is always a light at the end of the tunnel.
TruthBlog: Thank you very much Mr Qassim Kareem for accepting to share you campaign story with TruthBlog. We wish you the best in your career.
Qassim: You are welcome.
To our readers, thank you for spending your time here also. Watch out for the next series of True Life Gist on Truthblog
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