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

See Viral Photos: DILJIT DOSANJH'S SHORT HAIR LOOK Without His Turban Has Left FANS SHOCKED

See Viral Photos: DILJIT DOSANJH'S SHORT HAIR LOOK Without His Turban Has Left FANS SHOCKED
Diljit, who only makes public appearances in a turban, had cut his hair short for about two years.

See Viral Photos: DILJIT DOSANJH'S SHORT HAIR LOOK Without His Turban Has Left FANS SHOCKED

'I Liked Watching Dangal': Chinese President Xi Jinping Tells Modi In  Astana

'I Liked Watching Dangal': Chinese President Xi Jinping Tells Modi In  Astana
Chinese President Xi Jinping On Friday Told Prime Minister Narendra Modi That He Watched Aamir Khan- Starrer Sports Drama Bollywood Film Dangal And Liked It.

'I Liked Watching Dangal': Chinese President Xi Jinping Tells Modi In  Astana

Deepika Padukone Silences Slut-Shamers With This Hot-As-Hell Photo

Deepika Padukone Silences Slut-Shamers With This Hot-As-Hell Photo
Deepika Padukone fell prey to trolls after she Instagrammed a snap from a photoshoot

Deepika Padukone Silences Slut-Shamers With This Hot-As-Hell Photo

Jagga Jasoos' To Show Ranbir In 'New, Different Version'

Jagga Jasoos' To Show Ranbir In 'New, Different Version'
Director Anurag Basu is excited to present actor Ranbir Kapoor's new and different version in his forthcoming film "Jagga Jasoos".

Jagga Jasoos' To Show Ranbir In 'New, Different Version'

Taapsee Pannu To Star In A Movie On Shiv Aroor’s Book, Operation Jinnah?

Taapsee Pannu To Star In A Movie On Shiv Aroor’s Book, Operation Jinnah?
Taapsee Pannu, Who Played A Spy In Naam Shabana, Wants To Don The Role Of A Spy Yet Again In The Movie Adaptation Of Shiv Aroor’s First Novel - Operation Jinnah.

Taapsee Pannu To Star In A Movie On Shiv Aroor’s Book, Operation Jinnah?

Priyanka Chopra Gives A Thumbs Up To Ranbir-Katrina's Making Of Jagga Jasoos

Priyanka Chopra Gives A Thumbs Up To Ranbir-Katrina's Making Of Jagga Jasoos
Katrina Kaif recently posted a video on her Instagram, showcasing the goofiness behind the quirky song Ullu ka Pattha. And Guess who enjoyed the fun filled video? Priyanka Chopra! 

Priyanka Chopra Gives A Thumbs Up To Ranbir-Katrina's Making Of Jagga Jasoos