Wednesday, July 8, 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

Have A Fear Of Giving Up: Arjun Kapoor

Have A Fear Of Giving Up: Arjun Kapoor
Arjun Kapoor, whose last few films including "Tevar" didn't create any fireworks at the box-office, says he is not fond of giving up. He shared that his "constant fear" is that whatever he is attempting, he doesn't want to give up on that.

Have A Fear Of Giving Up: Arjun Kapoor

Navneet Kaur Dhillon Supports New Designers

Miss India Navneet Kaur Dhillon, who will soon make her Bollywood debut with "Loveshudhha", on Friday supported six designers showcasing their work here for the first time, and praised their "fresh and different" collections.

Navneet Kaur Dhillon Supports New Designers

Big B's Facebook Page Gets 23 Million Likes

Big B's Facebook Page Gets 23 Million Likes
Megastar Amitabh Bachchan, an active user of social networking sites, is thrilled to get 23 million likes on his Facebook page

Big B's Facebook Page Gets 23 Million Likes

Ghulam Ali to perform in Lucknow on Sunday

Pakistani ghazal maestro Ghulam Ali will perform at the Lucknow Mahotsav 2015-2016 here on Sunday.

Ghulam Ali to perform in Lucknow on Sunday

I am stern that 'Taandav' will be made: Manoj Bajpayee

I am stern that 'Taandav' will be made: Manoj Bajpayee
Actor Manoj Bajpayee, who will feature in the short film, "Taandav", says that he went to numerous producers for a film on the subject but was spurned by all, and is now stern that the film will be made.

I am stern that 'Taandav' will be made: Manoj Bajpayee

Cockpit Concert: Jet Airways Suspends Cabin Crew For Sonu Nigam's Surprise Performance On Flight

Cockpit Concert: Jet Airways Suspends Cabin Crew For Sonu Nigam's Surprise Performance On Flight
Sonu has termed as "real intolerance" the Jet Airways' decision

Cockpit Concert: Jet Airways Suspends Cabin Crew For Sonu Nigam's Surprise Performance On Flight