Veteran actor Kehinde Olasehinde, popularly known as Pa James, has shared insights into his career on the iconic TV series Papa Ajasco and Company, produced by Wale Adenuga.
Speaking in an interview with Lucky Udu, Pa James revealed that the show was instrumental in boosting his fame and financial stability, even enabling him to purchase his first car.
“Working with him gave me popularity even more than when I was in Yoruba movies. On the money aspect, he really tried for me. I bought my first car when I started working with him,” he said.
However, the actor noted that production schedules have become irregular, with long gaps between shoots. This unpredictability has made it necessary for him to maintain alternative income sources.
“To work with him now, you must have a side hustle so that you can pay your bills. We used to work back-to-back, but now, once we shoot some episodes, they might not call us again until two years,” he explained.
Pa James also highlighted that he cannot use the name “Pa James” in other projects, as it is trademarked by the production. When he started, he was paid ₦2,500 per episode; today, he earns ₦45,000 per episode for approximately ten episodes.
Despite the challenges, he expressed gratitude for the opportunities, praising Wale Adenuga for fairness and consistent support over the years.
His reflections offer a glimpse into the dynamics of long-running Nigerian TV productions, the financial realities actors face, and the importance of trademark protections in the industry.
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