Saturday, July 4, 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

I Was 15 Years Old When Kareena Made Her Debut: Arjun Kapoor

I Was 15 Years Old When Kareena Made Her Debut: Arjun Kapoor
Kareena made her Hindi film debut in the 2000 film "Refugee". 

I Was 15 Years Old When Kareena Made Her Debut: Arjun Kapoor

Shah Rukh Khan Is Best Co-star I Have Ever Worked With: Alia Bhatt

Shah Rukh Khan Is Best Co-star I Have Ever Worked With: Alia Bhatt
Actress Alia Bhatt, who will be seen sharing screen space with superstar Shah Rukh Khan in Gauri Shinde's next film, says the actor is the best co-star she has ever worked with.

Shah Rukh Khan Is Best Co-star I Have Ever Worked With: Alia Bhatt

How Anushka Took Wrestling Training For ‘Sultan’

How Anushka Took Wrestling Training For ‘Sultan’
Anushka Sharma has undergone rigorous training for six weeks for her role as a wrestler in "Sultan". The film's director Ali Abbas Zafar is impressed with her dedication.

How Anushka Took Wrestling Training For ‘Sultan’

Yo Yo Honey Singh Denies Slapping Incident With SRK

Yo Yo Honey Singh Denies Slapping Incident With SRK
Rapper Yo Yo Honey Singh wants to keep alive the mystery about his 18-month-long absence from showbiz, and says he will open up about it at the "right time".

Yo Yo Honey Singh Denies Slapping Incident With SRK

I never expected an award nomination: Kalki Koechlin

I never expected an award nomination: Kalki Koechlin
"I never expected a nomination as I rarely get nominated. So yes, being nominated for TOIFA 2016 is a great surprise," Kalki said in a statement.

I never expected an award nomination: Kalki Koechlin

Aamir Khan wishes best to A.R. Rahman for '99 Songs'

Aamir Khan wishes best to A.R. Rahman for '99 Songs'
Superstar Aamir Khan has wished the best for the two-time Oscar Award winner A.R. Rahman, who is making his debut as producer and scriptwriter with the film "99 Songs".

Aamir Khan wishes best to A.R. Rahman for '99 Songs'