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

Pregnant Bar Refaeli Expecting A Girl

Refaeli announced the sex of her child on Instagram as she shared a bikini photograph of herself flaunting her figure in a swimsuit

Pregnant Bar Refaeli Expecting A Girl

Abbas-Mustan Keen To Sign Nishikant Kamat For Next Film

Abbas-Mustan Keen To Sign Nishikant Kamat For Next Film
Director duo Abbas-Mustan says that they are quite impressed with Nishikant Kamat's acting ability and would want to sign him for their next film.

Abbas-Mustan Keen To Sign Nishikant Kamat For Next Film

Adele Apologises To Fan Who Got Injured At Her Concert

Adele Apologises To Fan Who Got Injured At Her Concert
Singer Adele has apologised to the female fan who got injured at her show here where a chain fell onto the audience from the ceiling.

Adele Apologises To Fan Who Got Injured At Her Concert

Dwayne Johnson 'May' Run For President In Future

Dwayne Johnson 'May' Run For President In Future
Johnson expressed his political dreams after fans put together an article highlighting all the reasons The Rock should run for president

Dwayne Johnson 'May' Run For President In Future

Would Love To Make Film With Ayushmann Again: John Abraham

Would Love To Make Film With Ayushmann Again: John Abraham
John worked with Ayushmann in the latter's debut film "Vicky Donor", which was produced by the "Force" star. 

Would Love To Make Film With Ayushmann Again: John Abraham

Shahid Kapoor Garners Four Million Instagram Followers

Shahid Kapoor Garners Four Million Instagram Followers
Shahid Kapoor has amassed a following of four million followers on Instagram and the actor has thanked his fans and well wishers for showering all the love on him.

Shahid Kapoor Garners Four Million Instagram Followers