Acting has taught me discipline, patience – Darasimi Nadi

In this interview with VERA ALKALI, child actress Darasimi Nadi, speaks about her passion for acting, the challenges of balancing school with filmmaking, lessons learnt from experienced actors, her dream of working on international projects and the legacy she hopes to build as an adult actress.

What drew you into acting?

What first made me fall in love with acting was the opportunity to become different people and tell different stories. I love that when I’m acting, I get to step into someone else’s world and make people feel something through the character. I also really enjoy being on set and working with other people who love storytelling.

At 15, you already have years of acting experience. What is it like being a teenager and having such an active career?

It can be exciting, but it can also be challenging sometimes. I’m still a teenager, so I want to enjoy being young, spend time with my friends, go to school and do normal teenage things, while also taking my career seriously. I’ve had to learn how to be responsible and manage both sides of my life, and I’m grateful that I get to do something I genuinely enjoy at my age.

How do you balance acting with school, and which takes more of your time?

School definitely takes a lot of my time, especially when I have tests, assignments or exams. Acting also requires commitment, particularly when I’m working on a project. I try to plan properly and make sure neither one suffers. My education is very important to me, so even when I’m busy with acting, I still make time to study.

Do your classmates treat you differently because you are an actress?

Sometimes they do, especially when a movie I’m in comes out or something about me is trending. But most of the time, my classmates still treat me like their friend. I actually like that because when I’m in school, I just want to be Darasimi and enjoy being a normal student.

How does your family support your acting career while ensuring that you stay focused on school?

My family has been a very big part of my journey. They support me, guide me and make sure I understand that school and my wellbeing are still very important. They are also there to encourage me when things don’t go exactly how I expected. I’m very grateful because having people who support you and keep you grounded is important.

Having worked with different actors and actresses, who has inspired you, and what have you learnt from them?

I’ve met a lot of people who have inspired me in different ways. Working with experienced actors has taught me that acting is not just about knowing your lines. It’s about listening, observing, being prepared and understanding the character. Every set has given me an opportunity to learn something new from the people around me.

What is the most difficult part of acting for you: learning lines, expressing emotions or getting into character?

I would say expressing certain emotions can be the most challenging, especially when the emotion is very intense or very different from how I naturally feel. Learning lines is something I’ve become more comfortable with because of experience, but making sure the audience actually feels what the character is feeling is a different thing. That’s something I’m always working on.

Do you ever get nervous before performing difficult scenes, and how do you overcome it?

Yes, sometimes I do. I think being nervous is normal, especially when you really care about doing a good job. I usually prepare myself mentally, go over my lines and remind myself to focus on the character rather than worrying about how I’m going to look. Once the scene starts, I normally get into it and the nervousness goes away.

Can you recall a moment on set when you felt particularly proud of your performance?

Yes, definitely. There have been scenes where I finished and felt really proud of myself because I knew I had pushed myself and given the character everything I could. Those moments are special because acting is something where you’re constantly trying to improve, so when you feel that you really connected with a scene, it feels good.

What is the funniest or most memorable experience you have had on a movie set?

There have been so many funny moments on set because you spend long hours with the same people and everyone eventually becomes comfortable with each other. One thing I really enjoy is when something unexpected happens during a scene and everyone tries so hard not to laugh. Those moments can be difficult because once one person starts laughing, everybody else usually follows.

If you could choose your next role, what kind of character would you love to play?

I would love to play a character that is very different from me maybe someone with a completely different personality and background. I especially enjoy characters that challenge me emotionally and make me step outside my comfort zone. I want to play a role that makes people forget they are watching Darasimi and makes them see the character instead.

What has acting taught you about yourself that you might not have learnt otherwise?

Acting has taught me that I’m capable of doing things I sometimes think I can’t do. It has also taught me discipline, patience and how to work with different kinds of people. Most importantly, I’ve learnt that it’s okay to make mistakes because every mistake gives you something to learn from.

Away from the screen, what is something your fans may not know about you?

I think people may not realise how much I enjoy simple things and just being myself. I can be very playful and unserious when I’m around people I’m comfortable with. I also really enjoy food, spending time with people I love and discovering new things. Being an actress is a big part of me, but it isn’t everything that defines me.

Do you see acting as a lifelong career, or are you still exploring other interests?

I definitely want acting to remain a big part of my life, but I’m also still young and exploring. I don’t think I have to decide everything about my future at 15. I’m interested in different things, and I want to give myself the opportunity to learn and discover what I’m really passionate about. For now, I know I love acting and I want to keep growing in it.

What is your biggest dream for your career, and how would you like people to remember you when you become an adult actress?

My biggest dream is to become an actress who can work on amazing projects both in Nigeria and internationally. I want to play roles that challenge me, work with great filmmakers and eventually become someone who inspires younger people who also want to act.

When I become an adult actress, I would love people to remember me as someone who took her craft seriously, stayed true to herself and used her talent to tell meaningful stories. I don’t just want to be remembered for being a child actress who grew up. I want people to say that I became a really good actress.