Friday, July 3, 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

Check Out Priyanka's 'The Jungle Book' Diaries

"The Jungle Book was one of the favourite parts of my childhood and now I get to be in it as the voice of Kaa! Wooopiee," Priyanka posted on Twitter.

Check Out Priyanka's 'The Jungle Book' Diaries

Movies, Ads And More: Ranveer Packs It All In

Super busy Ranveer Singh is having to pack in his brand commitments, preparation for "Befikre" and a performance at an awards gala all in a day!

Movies, Ads And More: Ranveer Packs It All In

My Grand-Daughter's Twitter Account Fake: Big B

My Grand-Daughter's Twitter Account Fake: Big B
"Alarm: My grand-daughter Navya Nanda is not on Twitter. That account is fake! I responded to it by mistake. Be warned," Amitabh tweeted on Friday.

My Grand-Daughter's Twitter Account Fake: Big B

Always Wanted To Choreograph Helen: Shiamak Davar

Always Wanted To Choreograph Helen: Shiamak Davar
Helen, known for her twinkle toes, earned a fan following of her own with her smooth dance moves on Hindi songs like "Yamma yamma", "Piya tu ab toh aaja" and "Yeh mera dil", among other dance numbers.

Always Wanted To Choreograph Helen: Shiamak Davar

'Bajirao Mastani' Wins Big At TOIFA 2016 Technical Awards

'Bajirao Mastani' Wins Big At TOIFA 2016 Technical Awards
The technical awards, which saw as many as 400 guests, were announced on Thursday at a night full of excitement and glamour.

'Bajirao Mastani' Wins Big At TOIFA 2016 Technical Awards

Kanika Kapoor To Pay Tribute To Uttar Pradesh At TOIFA 2016

Singer Kanika Kapoor, who is prepping to showcase her vocal prowess at the second edition of the Times of India Film Awards (TOIFA) here, says she will be paying a tribute to her native Uttar Pradesh state at the event.

Kanika Kapoor To Pay Tribute To Uttar Pradesh At TOIFA 2016