Veteran Nollywood comic actor Kayode Olaiya, popularly known as Aderupoko, has revealed that the highest payment he has ever received for a movie came more than five decades after he began his acting career, crediting filmmaker Kunle Afolayan for the milestone.
Speaking in an interview, the actor said Afolayan’s 2014 historical film October 1 marked a turning point in his career financially, describing the filmmaker as straightforward and professional.
According to Aderupoko, he made significant sacrifices to portray the role of Sergeant Afonja, including keeping his hair uncut for over a year to fit the appearance of a colonial-era police officer.
“Kunle Afolayan is a good person. His movie was very demanding and I had to keep my hair for more than a year without cutting it. Throughout that period, he paid for the treatment of my hair and kept encouraging me not to cut it. It wasn’t convenient, but it was worth it,” he said.
The veteran actor disclosed that although some reports claimed he completed his house with the proceeds from the movie, he had already finished the building before joining the production.
He, however, stressed that the payment he received for October 1 remains the biggest of his over 52-year acting career.
“He is the one that has paid me the highest amount of money I have ever received in my career, which means that my major movie earning came after over 52 years of acting,” Aderupoko said.
Reflecting on the financial realities of the Nigerian film industry, the actor lamented that fame has not translated into wealth for many veterans. He blamed rampant piracy for depriving actors and producers of deserved earnings, noting that many filmmakers incur huge losses after investing in productions.
Despite the challenges, Aderupoko said he has no regrets about choosing acting as a career, adding that the love he receives from fans and the peace of mind he enjoys remain his greatest rewards.
The veteran entertainer, who began his acting journey as a child on the former Western Nigerian Television storytelling programme before rising through travelling theatre groups, remains one of Yoruba cinema’s most recognisable comic actors, with memorable roles in Jenifa’s Diary and October 1.
