Thursday, July 2, 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

Arvind Swamy Returns To Bollywood After 15 Years

Arvind Swamy Returns To Bollywood After 15 Years
  Arvind is said to have chosen this film to return to Bollywood because he found the subject intriguing.

Arvind Swamy Returns To Bollywood After 15 Years

Hats Off To Those Who Juggle Between Films: Bhumi Pednekar

Hats Off To Those Who Juggle Between Films: Bhumi Pednekar
"I don't know how people juggle between films! Hats off to them because for me even If I am doing one film, I am like 'Oh my god'

Hats Off To Those Who Juggle Between Films: Bhumi Pednekar

'Dum Laga Ke Haisha' Got Me Respect As An Actor: Ayushmann Khurrana

'Dum Laga Ke Haisha' Got Me Respect As An Actor: Ayushmann Khurrana
The actor said he had to walk an extra mile for the Sharat Katariya-directed "Dum Laga Ke Haisha" as he had to change his persona for his character in the romantic comedy film.

'Dum Laga Ke Haisha' Got Me Respect As An Actor: Ayushmann Khurrana

Arjun Kapoor evolving as an actor: Ranveer Singh

Arjun Kapoor evolving as an actor: Ranveer Singh
Actor Ranveer Singh is all for his "Gunday" co-actor and good friend Arjun Kapoor, saying that the latter is "evolving" as an actor with every film.

Arjun Kapoor evolving as an actor: Ranveer Singh

Salman Khan's Sister Arpita Blessed With Son

Salman Khan's Sister Arpita Blessed With Son
"Our Prince has arrived," Aayush posted on Twitter, along with a link of an Instagram image.

Salman Khan's Sister Arpita Blessed With Son

A Glamorous Role Risky For Me: Richa Chadda

A Glamorous Role Risky For Me: Richa Chadda
 Richa Chadda, who is playing a cabaret dancer in Pooja Bhatt's "Cabaret", says she feels appearing in a glamorous role is risky for her.

A Glamorous Role Risky For Me: Richa Chadda