Ekta Kapoor credits Dharmendra, Jeetendra, Akshay for Bollywood's survival through consistent work
Synopsis
Ekta Kapoor's unexpected tribute reframes Bollywood's economics. It's not the prestige projects or selective A-listers that keep the industry alive — it's the workhorse actors like Akshay Kumar and Jeetendra who churn out four films a year, feeding mid-sized producers and creating jobs. That unglamorous consistency, she argues, is what separates a thriving industry from a hollow one.
Key Takeaways
Ekta Kapoor publicly credited Dharmendra , Jeetendra , and Akshay Kumar for sustaining Bollywood's commercial health on 6 May .
Akshay Kumar often takes on four films annually , creating opportunities for mid-sized producers across the industry.
Jeetendra , now 83 , has been active in cinema for over six decades and earned the title Bollywood's "Jumping Jack." Late Dharmendra passed away in November 2025 at age 89 after a six-decade career spanning Sholay , Chupke Chupke , and recent films like Ikkis .
Ekta argues that high-volume work by prolific actors, not selective prestige projects, sustains the producer ecosystem and job creation.
Producer and filmmaker Ekta Kapoor on 6 May publicly credited veteran actors late Dharmendra, her father Jeetendra, and Akshay Kumar for sustaining the Hindi film industry's commercial health through disciplined, high-volume output over decades. In a social media post featuring photographs of Jeetendra and Akshay Kumar in coordinated cream traditional wear, Ekta argued that prolific work by such stars — rather than selective, prestige-driven filmmaking — keeps the producer ecosystem viable and creates jobs across the industry.
What Ekta said about discipline and consistency
Ekta wrote that Jeetendra and Akshay Kumar share a striking parallel: unwavering discipline and trust in a producer's creative conviction. "They are so similar that every time I talk to Akshay Sir, I feel like I'm talking to my Dad," she noted. She emphasised that their willingness to work regularly — Akshay Kumar often takes on four films annually — ensures that mid-sized and independent producers get meaningful opportunities, not just elite directors with A-list budgets.
The commerce argument: why volume matters
Ekta framed high-volume acting as an economic engine. "Doing a few films with top directors once in a while only sustains one layer of the industry," she wrote. "For an industry to thrive, you need actors who work regularly so that every producer gets a chance." She credited Dharmendra, Jeetendra, and Akshay Kumar with creating job opportunities across production houses, from large studios to mid-tier producers, through sheer output.
Akshay Kumar's track record and current projects
Akshay Kumar, active in Hindi cinema for over three decades, was recently featured in Ekta Kapoor's Bhoot Bangla. His filmography spans blockbusters including Hera Pheri, Bhool Bhulaiyaa, Kesari, Airlift, and Khiladi. He remains one of Bollywood's busiest actors, with multiple projects in development.
Jeetendra's six-decade legacy
Now 83 years old, Jeetendra has been part of the entertainment industry for over six decades and earned the affectionate title of Bollywood's "Jumping Jack." His hit films include Himmatwala, Tohfa, Caravan, and Parichay. His sustained presence in cinema mirrors the consistency Ekta credits as foundational to industry health.
Dharmendra's enduring influence
Late Dharmendra, who passed away in November 2025 at age 89, was a Hindi cinema stalwart for over six decades. From classics like Sholay and Chupke Chupke to later appearances in Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani and Ikkis, his work spanned generations and shaped the industry's aesthetic and commercial standards. His passing marked the end of an era for Bollywood's golden-age legacy.
Point of View
Prestige-project model — fewer films, bigger budgets, international festivals. But that model starves mid-tier producers and fragments the industry into tiers. What she's really saying is that the stars who work constantly, who say yes to producers outside the top five, are the ones keeping the entire ecosystem alive. It's an unglamorous truth that challenges the industry's own mythology about what constitutes 'serious' cinema.
NationPress
9 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Ekta Kapoor praise Akshay Kumar, Jeetendra, and Dharmendra?
Ekta credited them for sustaining Bollywood's commercial ecosystem through consistent, high-volume work. She argued that their willingness to take on multiple films annually — rather than selective prestige projects — creates opportunities for mid-sized and independent producers and generates jobs across the industry.
How many films does Akshay Kumar typically do per year?
Akshay Kumar often takes on four films annually, according to Ekta Kapoor. This high output ensures that producers across all tiers get opportunities to work with established stars.
What is Jeetendra's contribution to Bollywood?
Jeetendra, now 83, has been active in the entertainment industry for over six decades and is fondly called Bollywood's "Jumping Jack." His filmography includes hits like Himmatwala, Tohfa, Caravan, and Parichay. His sustained presence mirrors the consistency Ekta credits as foundational to industry health.
When did Dharmendra pass away?
Late Dharmendra passed away in November 2025 at the age of 89, just before his 90th birthday. He had been part of Hindi cinema for over six decades, with a legacy spanning classics like Sholay and Chupke Chupke to recent films like Ikkis.
