Sunday, June 28, 2026
ADVT 
Bollywood

Interested In More Eyeballs Than Box Office Collections: Akshay Kumar

IANS, 28 Jul, 2017 08:33 PM
  • Interested In More Eyeballs Than Box Office Collections: Akshay Kumar
Bollywood star Akshay Kumar says he is interested in reaching out to a greater number of people with his upcoming film "Toilet: Ek Prem Katha" than on garnering box office business.
 
He says the distributor has applied for tax exemption for the film.
 
During the trailer launch of the film here on Thursday, when asked that after "Rustom" and "Airlift" crossed the Rs 100 crore mark at the box office, whether he was looking forward to minting more moolah, Akshay said: "I am interested in more eyeballs than the box office collection.
 
"In fact, I wish the ticket price of this film to be low so that more people can go and watch the film. Around 54 per cent people in our country have no access to toilets. So, my concern is to make people aware of the issue. They should go and watch the film rather than (we) count on the box office collection."
 
Asked about if they will make the film tax free, Akshay said: "So far there is no confirmation, but yes, the Viacom18 people (the distributors of the film) applied for tax exemption. Let's see what happens."
 
 
"Toilet: Ek Prem Katha" which stresses on the importance of sanitation.
 
Once known as Bollywood's action star, Akshay has of late moved into movies with social relevance. But he says he doesn't believe in having any image.
 
"I don't want to have any kind of image. I just want to keep on trying everything. When I entered the industry, people called me an action hero. 
 
"Then, I tried other things, they called me comedian and romantic hero. Then I did villain roles, now people are saying that I am doing social films. I just don't want to have an image.
 
"I just want to keep on trying different things," said Akshay, who received a National Award for his performance in "Rustom".
 
Akshay also pointed out that though his film "Toilet: Ek Prem Katha" is set in the rural milieu, it is more relevant for the urban crowd than rural people.
 
 
"The issue of open defecation is not just a rural (village) problem. It is a huge problem in big cities too and it is more dangerous in big cities rather than villages, because we live in a concrete jungle, so germs and bacteria spread faster here.
 
"Don't think for a moment that this movie is for villages. It is for urban people too because we are in more danger than them."
 
The film also stars Bhumi Pednekar and Anupam Kher. It is releasing on August 11.

MORE Bollywood ARTICLES

Hrithik's 'Intimate' Photo With Kangana Leaked, Ex-wife Sussanne Supports Hrithik

Hrithik's 'Intimate' Photo With Kangana Leaked, Ex-wife Sussanne Supports Hrithik
Sussanne Khan has come out in support of former husband Hrithik Roshan in his bitter fight with actress Kangana Ranaut.

Hrithik's 'Intimate' Photo With Kangana Leaked, Ex-wife Sussanne Supports Hrithik

Priyanka Chopra To Dine With Barack Obama

Priyanka Chopra To Dine With Barack Obama
Bollywood's 'desi girl' took to Twitter to share the news. The dinner will take place on Saturday. 

Priyanka Chopra To Dine With Barack Obama

Women Should Speak Up For Themselves: Sunny Leone

Women Should Speak Up For Themselves: Sunny Leone
Actress Sunny Leone, who will soon be seen in the forthcoming thriller “One Night Stand”, believes that women should speak up and stand up for themselves.

Women Should Speak Up For Themselves: Sunny Leone

'Make In India' Most Important Initiative By Modi: SRK

'Make In India' Most Important Initiative By Modi: SRK
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Make In India' campaign was perhaps the most important initiative, according to actor Shah Rukh Khan who is impressed with the introduction of technology with it.

'Make In India' Most Important Initiative By Modi: SRK

TV Actor Amit Behl Apologises To Rakhi Sawant, Dolly Bindra

TV Actor Amit Behl Apologises To Rakhi Sawant, Dolly Bindra
I would like to offer my unconditional apology to Dolly Bindra and Rakhi Sawant for using the word 'ban' and other related statements. 

TV Actor Amit Behl Apologises To Rakhi Sawant, Dolly Bindra

Cannes Would Have Been A Perfect Platform For 'Sarbjit': Aishwarya

Cannes Would Have Been A Perfect Platform For 'Sarbjit': Aishwarya
Actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, who will soon be seen in the Omung Kumar-directed "Sarbjit", said she thinks Cannes is the best platform for showcasing of the biopic.

Cannes Would Have Been A Perfect Platform For 'Sarbjit': Aishwarya