Ekta Kapoor says ‘it's because of the Dharmendras, the Jeetendras, the Akshays’ that Bollywood flourished

MUMBAI: TV czarina and filmmaker Ekta Kapoor has praised the contribution of veteran superstars late Dharmendra, her father Jeetendra and also Akshay Kumar to the Hindi film industry, saying that it is because of actors like them that Bollywood has continued to flourish over the years.

Taking to her social media account social media, Ekta shared pictures featuring her father Jeetendra with Akshay Kumar and also penned a heartfelt note appreciating the superstars’ discipline, consistency and contribution towards keeping the business of cinema alive.

In one of the pictures, Jeetendra and Akshay are seen engaged in a warm conversation while dressed in coordinated cream traditional outfits. Another picture has Ekta posing alongside Akshay Kumar at an event.

Ekta wrote, “The time has come for me to say my thank yous… This picture of Dad and Akshay Sir reminds me exactly of what discipline can do. They are so similar that every time I talk to Akshay Sir, I feel like I’m talking to my Dad… Their discipline & their belief in the producer’s conviction, along with deep trust and respect is just wonderful!”

She added, “These two men are the reason the commerce of our industry is alive and why producers continue to have some agency. Doing a few films with top directors once in a while only sustains one layer of the industry… For an industry to thrive, you need actors who work regularly so that every producer gets a chance.”

She further wrote, “The pure commerce these two men have brought is rarely appreciated. So, every time someone asks, ‘Why does Akshay Kumar do four films a year?’ know it’s because of the Dharmendras, the Jeetendras, and the Akshays that this industry flourished.”