Since receiving critical acclaim for her role in the 2022 Nollywood film ‘Obara ‘M’, Nigerian child actress Darasimi Nadi has gone on to star in other popular films.
Darasimi has appeared in over a dozen films, including A Father's Love (2024), A Green Fever (2024), On The Edge (2024), and Ègún (2024).
The 12-year-old talent recently played a prominent role in the Ramsey Nouah-directed Netflix film, 'Tokumbo.'
In this film, she played Nike Balogun, the daughter of the first female CBN Governor, Folashade (Funlola Aofiyebi-Rami), in one of her best roles yet.
In an interview with PREMIUM TIMES, the assertive, outspoken and intelligent child actress spoke about her journey to stardom and her relationship with her mother.
Road to stardom
Darasimi told PREMIUM TIMES how her acting career began unexpectedly. Her interest was piqued when her mother, a producer, came to her compound to shoot a film.
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Seeing the camera, Darasimi was fascinated and wanted to participate.
“I didn’t know what I was going to be, but I knew I was going to be a celebrity,” he said.
On the other hand, her mother (Mimi Haaga) needed a child actor for a project. Still, she was hesitant to consider Darasimi because of the usual practice of Nollywood producers to cast their children in films. After persistent persuasion, her mother relented and Darasimi landed her first official role.
She continued to convince her mother that she had the potential to be a great actress. She participated in some sketches and her mother began to see her potential.
“I could see that she was a good actress, but she was afraid of the camera, so she took it upon herself to correct that. We designed and started an eight-episode cooking series, and by the third episode, she was already excelling,” her mother said.
This opened the doors to other producers and his first paid work, “The Pretty Ones Are The Loneliest.”
Background
Born in Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria, Darasimi said she does not compete with her peers: she began her career in 2008.
She described herself and her career: “I do things uniquely and no one else can do what I do. I am a runner, but I don’t run with anyone. I am alone. The uniqueness is evident in her acting, but beyond the films, Darasimi is energetic, captivating, determined, intelligent and true to herself,” she said.
Tokunbo
“Tokunbo” is a story about the life of a smuggler and the consequences of quitting. It explores themes of family, love, betrayal and manipulation.
Describing her experiences as the lead in “Tokunbo,” she said, “It was fun, it was entertaining. I learned a lot. Mr. Ramsey, as an actor and director, taught me a lot of things I didn’t know before, and I’m grateful for that.”
He also praised the camaraderie of the crew members, actors and crew for making the experience worthwhile.
She said: “Everyone had a great time. We were one big family.” She particularly enjoyed the dialogue scenes, finding them energetic and funny.
Support system
Darasimi's relationship with her mother is admirable: a mother who loves and understands her daughter and a daughter who loves and understands her mother.
“My mom is Mimi Haaga. She has been the best thing that has ever happened to me. She has been understanding, sweet, loving and caring,” she said.
In today’s Nollywood, Darasimi’s mother said her daughter is known for her punctuality. “I don’t know how to wake up early, but with my mother, I can never be late. She makes sure I get up and ready on time,” Darasimi said of her mother.
He added: “For a year, my mother took a break from her work as a director. She stopped accepting assignments just to prepare me for acting. She invested time, money, energy and emotions. I love her.”
Plans
Darasimi said she hopes to advance her career and work with renowned directors such as Kemi Adetiba and Kunle Afolayan. She also expressed her desire to work with Nse Ikpe-Etim.
She also offered words of encouragement to other child actors, saying, “Keep going. God’s timing is best. God’s plan is what will happen in your life. Keep God close and keep your parents close.”