Veteran Nollywood actor, Kayode Olasehinde Ajirebi, popularly known as “Pa James” in the popular Wale Adenuga production ‘Papa Ajasco’ has said that Yoruba actors are not respected in the Nigerian movie industry, asserting that most Yoruba Actors are usually ‘used and dumped’.
Ajirebi who said this during an interview with Orisun TV, noted that he would rather feature in an English movie than a Yoruba movie.
“You see, our people in Yoruba movie sector seem to belong to the set of people I would refer to as ‘Use and Dump’.
” Though they didn’t do that to me, they have done it to some people. They would patronize you and offer you peanut, and the moment you demand for a higher pay, they would abandon you and by so doing, their movies are lacking in some areas.” “You will notice that some of the things we introduced into movies to create suspense are no longer there. They are aware, but because they don’t want to spend much, they overlook such areas.
What they normally do is to call their friends to come and partake in their movies and give them something, not the correct fee. But now, this career has gone beyond giving casts transport fare alone, while they (producers) would buy cars after the p gnnroduction. They want to cheat us. If a producer comes to me and we agree on fees, I will feature in his movie, but no more peanuts. I have paid my dues and I have responsibilities to meet.” he stated.
