Veteran Nigerian actor Kehinde Olasehinde, widely known as Pa James, has opened up about his journey on the iconic TV series Papa Ajasco and Company, revealing both the rewards and challenges that have come with the role.
Speaking in an interview with media personality Lucky Udu, the actor credited renowned producer Wale Adenuga for transforming his career, noting that the show brought him widespread recognition and improved his financial standing.
According to Pa James, his time on the show marked a turning point in his life, even enabling him to purchase his first car an achievement he described as significant.
“Working with Wale Adenuga gave me popularity even more than when I was in Yoruba movies,” he said. “On the money aspect, he really tried for me. I bought my first car when I started working with him.”
Despite the success, the actor highlighted a major challenge: irregular production schedules. He explained that unlike in the past when filming was consistent, there are now long gaps between shoots sometimes stretching up to two years.
“Before, we used to work back to back but now, once we shoot some episodes, they might not call us again until two years,” he revealed.
This inconsistency, he noted, has made it necessary for actors on the show to find alternative sources of income to stay afloat.
“To work with him now, you must have a side hustle so that you can pay your bills,” he added.
Pa James also disclosed that while he remains active in other film projects, he is restricted from using his popular stage name outside the series due to trademark protections held by the production company.
“I can work in other movies but I must not bear ‘Pa James’ because the name has been trademarked,” he explained.
Reflecting on his earnings, the actor shared that he initially earned ₦2,500 per episode when he joined the show. Today, he receives ₦45,000 per episode, with productions typically running for about 10 episodes at a time.
Despite the challenges, Pa James expressed gratitude to Wale Adenuga, emphasizing that he still collaborates with the veteran producer and appreciates the opportunities he has been given over the years.
