Amal Umar Reflects on Playing Habiba in 'The Herd' and Bridging Kannywood and Nollywood

Amal Umar's performance as Habiba in "The Herd" has captivated audiences, making it difficult to distinguish the actress from her character. From her initial appearance, Umar commanded attention, presenting a character who defied easy categorization, existing in the challenging space between victim and perpetrator.

Habiba's journey, from survivor to kidnapper, was brought to life by Umar's precise and emotionally resonant acting, which was crucial to the film's overall impact. Her portrayal sparked widespread discussion among viewers and critics alike, leading to this conversation with the actress herself.

Umar is a recognized figure in Nigerian filmmaking, actively building a presence in both Nollywood and Kannywood, and positioning herself as a vital link between these two distinct film sectors. "The Herd" highlighted her readiness to delve into challenging roles and sustain that emotional depth.

In an interview, Umar shared insights on finding the human element in dark narratives, her experiences on set with director Daniel Etim Effiong, her views on the relationship between Kannywood and Nollywood, and her future aspirations. She comes across as warm, thoughtful, and resolute about her career path.

Amal Umar expressed that 2026 has been a significantly busier year for her, filled with projects, creative discussions, and preparations for roles demanding considerable emotional and physical investment, all in a positive sense.

If her acting career were not her path, Umar believes she would be successful in the catering and beauty sectors, specifically in professional catering and makeup artistry.

Reflecting on her younger days, Umar initially aspired to become a lawyer, but acting eventually became her true calling, aligning with her purpose and passion.

She also revealed hidden talents beyond her on-screen persona, including a passion for cooking diverse meals, baking, and makeup artistry.

Umar described her role in "The Herd" as an emotionally demanding project where everyone involved poured significant heart and effort into conveying the story with authenticity and respect. She found it deeply satisfying to know the film resonated with audiences, evoked emotions, and initiated crucial discussions about harsh realities, reaffirming the importance of storytelling.

When discussing Habiba, a character who challenges audience perceptions by being a survivor turned kidnapper, Umar stated that finding the character's humanity was not difficult, as she always focuses on understanding a character's motivations. However, portraying a kidnapper was a novel experience that pushed her to explore new aspects of human behavior.

She found the experience of being part of "The Herd" to be both exhilarating and eye-opening, teaching her about her own resilience as an actress. The role expanded her comfort zone and demanded a higher degree of emotional honesty and discipline, revealing a broader spectrum of her abilities, particularly in handling intense and sensitive scenes responsibly. This experience boosted her confidence in tackling complex characters and conveying emotionally weighty narratives.

Umar described her collaboration with director Daniel Etim Effiong as an exceptional experience, calling him one of the finest directors she has worked with. Effiong fostered a creative environment where actors could explore their characters freely while maintaining a clear vision for the narrative, making the set enjoyable, collaborative, and inspiring, which contributed to her strong performance.

Comparing her experiences, Umar noted that a key difference between "The Herd" and productions in Northern Nigeria is the scale and production approach. "The Herd" featured a larger production with more technical resources and meticulous planning for cinematic storytelling with national and international reach. Productions in the North often operate with smaller crews and budgets, fostering adaptability and creativity. She sees herself as a bridge, capable of integrating Nollywood's professionalism and scale with Kannywood's unique narratives and cultural richness to create more collaborative opportunities.

While progress is being made in fostering collaboration between Kannywood and Nollywood, Umar believes more can be done. She suggested joint productions, shared training programs, and exchanges of technical expertise as ways to strengthen the relationship, ultimately creating richer, more diverse stories.

Looking ahead, Umar is eager to continue exploring challenging roles that promote her growth as an actor, particularly those with depth and complexity. She is keen to explore genres like psychological thrillers and socially relevant dramas, while remaining open to any story that is meaningful, impactful, and connects with audiences on a profound level, always aiming to push her craft and tell significant stories.