Mumbai, June 29 -- Veteran actor Annu Kapoor marked 44 years in the Hindi film industry on Monday by expressing gratitude to several personalities who shaped his journey, including Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bachchan and late Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray.

Speaking with ANI, Kapoor said the Bachchan family was among those who welcomed him with warmth, adding that Jaya Bachchan placed immense trust in him by making him a producer-director.

"I consider Jaya Bachchanji my elder sister. She was the first to trust me and make me a director and producer. I had simply narrated a story to her, but look at the faith she had in me. I will remain indebted to her for life," he said.

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