Veteran Nollywood actor Kehinde Olasehinde, popularly known as Pa James, has spoken about his long-standing professional relationship with renowned producer Wale Adenuga, shedding light on how it shaped his career and financial growth.
In a recent interview with Lucky Udu, the actor—widely recognized for his role in the hit television series Papa Ajasco and Company—revealed that the show played a significant role in boosting both his fame and income. According to him, his earnings from the production enabled him to purchase his first car, marking a major milestone in his life.
Pa James noted that he still maintains a working relationship with Adenuga, describing him as supportive over the years. However, he explained that the nature of their collaboration has changed, with long gaps between productions.
“I still work with Wale Adenuga. He has been good to me. The show gave me more popularity than my earlier Yoruba films. Financially, he tried for me—I bought my first car when I started working with him,” he said.
Reflecting on the industry’s evolution, the actor highlighted the irregularity of work in recent times.
“Back then, we worked consistently, but now we may shoot a few episodes and not be called again for up to two years. These days, you need a side hustle to survive,” he added.
He further disclosed that while he is free to feature in other productions, he is restricted from using the name “Pa James” outside the show due to trademark rights.
Providing insight into his earnings over the years, the actor revealed that he initially earned ₦2,500 per episode at the start of his career on the show, compared to ₦45,000 per episode currently, with an average of about 10 episodes per production cycle.
Pa James’ remarks highlight both the opportunities and challenges within the Nigerian film industry, particularly for veteran actors navigating changes in production patterns and income stability.