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

SRK, Aamir Will Be Afraid To Speak On Issues Due To Negative Reactions: Sonam

SRK, Aamir Will Be Afraid To Speak On Issues Due To Negative Reactions: Sonam
Actress Sonam Kapoor feels that superstars Shah Rukh Khan and Aamir Khan will be afraid to talk on issues due to the negative reactions coming along with it.

SRK, Aamir Will Be Afraid To Speak On Issues Due To Negative Reactions: Sonam

Not Getting Typecast My Greatest Advantage: Tabu

Not Getting Typecast My Greatest Advantage: Tabu
Her career has a cohesive mix of content driven films like "Astitva" and "Cheeni Kum" along with commercial entertainers like "Biwi No.1" and "Hum Saath-Saath Hain", which have proven her versatility as an actress. 

Not Getting Typecast My Greatest Advantage: Tabu

Priyanka Chopra Celebrates Five Million Instagram Followers

Bollywood actress Priyanka chopra has garnered five-million followers on the photo-sharing website Instagram.

Priyanka Chopra Celebrates Five Million Instagram Followers

'Bajirao Mastani' gets five nominations at 10th Asian Film Awards

'Bajirao Mastani' gets five nominations at 10th Asian Film Awards
Besides getting nominated for the Best Film category, "Bajirao Mastani" has also earned nominations for Best Costume Design, Best Visual Effects, Best Original Music and Best Editing. 

'Bajirao Mastani' gets five nominations at 10th Asian Film Awards

Oscars Have Bigger Controversies: Anil Kapoor

Actor Anil Kapoor has defended the controversies that surround award shows in Bollywood, saying even the Oscars have its share of controversies, which are sometimes even bigger.

Oscars Have Bigger Controversies: Anil Kapoor

Shahid Kapoor, Karan Johar to host 'Zee Cine Awards 2016'

Actor Shahid Kapoor, who is all set to host 'Zee Cine Awards 2016' with film maker Karan Johar, assures that they will not use any vulgar language on the dais.

Shahid Kapoor, Karan Johar to host 'Zee Cine Awards 2016'