I am Taking a Break From Acting Bandit or Bad Guy Roles - Abba Ali Zaky

Abba Ali Zaky, the actor behind Halil in Daniel Etim-Effiong’s debut feature The Herd, sat down with PartyJollof Africa to talk about the heart, discipline, and patience that shaped his journey to this moment.

Right from the start, he cleared the air about a common assumption: he is not new to the industry. He explained during the Instagram Live chat that he has been around for years, working behind the scenes and waiting for his big break. The wait was long enough that he almost gave up. Then The Herd came his way, and it changed everything for him.

According to Abba, this new season brings him real joy. He’s finally getting the kind of recognition every hardworking actor hopes for, and it means a lot to him.

When asked about working with Daniel Etim-Effiong, he had nothing but praise. He described Daniel as one of the easiest people to work with, especially for a first-time director. Abba said Daniel is the kind of director who values collaboration instead of dictating every move, and that made the experience even better.

Abba also shared how deeply he committed to the Halil character. From the first day of shooting to the final day, he stayed in character. Even back at the hotel, he preferred to be alone so he wouldn’t lose his focus. For him, this was part of respecting the role and giving it everything he had.

Talking about the success of The Herd, he gave credit to the director for insisting on casting real Hausa/Fulani actors who understand the culture instead of relying on people who would only pretend.

He also addressed the backlash from a few viewers who felt the film painted Hausa/Fulani or Muslim people in a negative light. Abba said most of those opinions came from people who only watched the trailer, not the full movie. He encouraged viewers to see the complete story before passing judgment.

On the topic of typecasting, Abba was clear: he wants to slow down on playing bandits and “bad guy” roles. Since his breakout in Voiceless, almost every major role he has landed has been in that direction, and he believes it’s time to show a different side of his talent.

Some fans wondered if acting in stories like The Herd puts him at risk, especially with sensitive cultural themes involved. Abba brushed that off, saying people will always talk no matter what you do, and he hasn’t received any real threats.

Looking ahead, Abba’s biggest desire is to break fully into mainstream Nollywood. He appreciates Kannywood but wants to reach wider audiences and take on roles that challenge him in new ways.

He closed the conversation with a message about legacy inspiring young actors to push themselves, dream bigger, and never give up because he knows what it means to wait, hope, and finally get a chance.

However, Voiceless may not have launched him into the spotlight, but The Herd is shining a much brighter light on his craft. And from all indications, Abba Ali Zaky is only getting started.