Sunday, July 5, 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

Hope Ajay Devgn likes my role in 'Great Grand Masti': Urvashi

"I have lot of things on my shoulder and I hope Ajay Devgn likes my Character," Urvashi said here at an event. 

Hope Ajay Devgn likes my role in 'Great Grand Masti': Urvashi

Meeting Gayatri Devi was Karisma Kapoor's big Fan Moment

Meeting Gayatri Devi was Karisma Kapoor's big Fan Moment
  Late Maharani Gayatri Devi of Jaipur, besides being an accomplished woman, was considered a classical beauty and had become a fashion icon in her younger days. 

Meeting Gayatri Devi was Karisma Kapoor's big Fan Moment

It’s A Pleasant Surprise: Veteran Star Manoj Kumar On Dadasaheb Phalke Award

Manoj Kumar on Friday said the Indian government’s decision to honour him with the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award, comes as a “pleasant surprise”. He said it will take him some time to digest the news.

It’s A Pleasant Surprise: Veteran Star Manoj Kumar On Dadasaheb Phalke Award

Sushmita Sen Happy For Preity Zinta , Urmila Matondkar

Sushmita Sen Happy For Preity Zinta , Urmila Matondkar
B-Town actors wished the couple on social media, and called Urmila the "most beautiful bride".

Sushmita Sen Happy For Preity Zinta , Urmila Matondkar

Aamir Keeps Raising Bar For Himself, Everybody: Tiger Shroff

Aamir Keeps Raising Bar For Himself, Everybody: Tiger Shroff
Actor Tiger Shroff says that superstar Aamir Khan doesn't look 51 years old, and keeps raising the bar for everyone and himself.

Aamir Keeps Raising Bar For Himself, Everybody: Tiger Shroff

Randeep Hooda, Shilpa Shetty Named Wellness Icons

Randeep Hooda and Shilpa Shetty were honoured as Wellness Icons of the Year at the ninth GeoSpa asiaSpa India Awards, where Bollywood’s evergreen beauty Rekha was given the Spa Diva Award.

Randeep Hooda, Shilpa Shetty Named Wellness Icons