Pa James, however, admitted that the popular comedy series significantly boosted his popularity and financial standing.
By Kehinde Okeowo
Nollywood actor Kehinde Olasehinde, widely known as Pa James or Ajirebi, has stated that his long-standing working relationship with producer Wale Adenuga was a fruitful one.
The actor—famous for his role in the TV series Papa Ajasco and Company—shared these insights during a recent candid interview with Lucky Udu.
According to the thespian, the comedy series was a turning point for his career, providing both fame and financial stability.
He noted that his earnings from the sitcom enabled him to purchase his first car.
Pa James added that he still collaborates with Adenuga, whom he described as having been very supportive over the years.
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However, he explained that the nature of the industry has changed, with longer gaps now occurring between productions.
Crucially, he revealed that he is not permitted to use the name ‘Pa James’ for external projects because it has been trademarked by the producer.
Speaking during the chat, he said: “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.”
Regarding the current pace and nature of the work, he added: ‘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.
“I can feature in other movies, but I’m not allowed to use the name ‘Pa James’ because it has been trademarked. When I started, I earned ₦2,500 per episode. Now, it’s ₦45,000 per episode, usually for about 10 episodes.”
