Saturday, May 9, 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

'Border' Team Celebrate 20 Years Anniversary

'Border' Team Celebrate 20 Years Anniversary
The two actors are reportedly being cast in Anurag Kashyap's production titled "Gulab Jamun".

'Border' Team Celebrate 20 Years Anniversary

My Choice Of Films Dictated By My Emotional Interest: Aamir Khan

Aamir Khan's filmography boasts of blockbusters like "Lagaan", "Rang De Basanti" and "Dangal". The credit, he says, goes to his heart, which he religiously follows while signing on the dotted line.

My Choice Of Films Dictated By My Emotional Interest: Aamir Khan

Some Things Will Always Hurt: Priyanka On Dad's Death Anniversary- PICS

Some Things Will Always Hurt: Priyanka On Dad's Death Anniversary- PICS
Actress Priyanka Chopra paid an emotional tribute to her father Ashok Chopra on his fourth death anniversary and shared on social media old photographs of herself with him and family.

Some Things Will Always Hurt: Priyanka On Dad's Death Anniversary- PICS

Salma Hayek Recalls When Donald Trump Hit On Her: I Told Him I Had A Boyfriend

Salma Hayek Recalls When Donald Trump Hit On Her: I Told Him I Had A Boyfriend
After Emma Thompson, Salma Hayek reveals how the US President Donald Trump has made his moves on her. She quotes Trump saying, "He's (Salma's then boyfriend) not good enough for you

Salma Hayek Recalls When Donald Trump Hit On Her: I Told Him I Had A Boyfriend

We Should Have Responsibility Towards Animals: Jacqueline Fernandez

We Should Have Responsibility Towards Animals: Jacqueline Fernandez
Actress Jacqueline Fernandez, who has signed a petition for a global ban on the practice of cosmetic animal testing, says as humans everyone needs to show responsibility towards animals.

We Should Have Responsibility Towards Animals: Jacqueline Fernandez

Daughter Trishala Exposes Sanjay Dutt's Angry, Possessive Side

Daughter Trishala Exposes Sanjay Dutt's Angry, Possessive Side
Sanjay Dutt’s daughter Trishala often shares pictures of her video calls with the Bollywood actor. This time around, she has exposed his angry side!

Daughter Trishala Exposes Sanjay Dutt's Angry, Possessive Side