Sunday, May 10, 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

Rajkumar Hirani Moved By 'Sachin: A Billion Dreams'

Rajkumar Hirani Moved By 'Sachin: A Billion Dreams'
Filmmaker Rajkumar Hirani, who gave inputs for "Sachin: A Billion Dreams", says the docu-drama on cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar is an "inspiring and emotionally moving film".

Rajkumar Hirani Moved By 'Sachin: A Billion Dreams'

To Play Up Girl In 'Bareilly...' Was Very Fresh: Kriti Sanon

Actress Kriti Sanon, who will be seen playing a "tomboyish character" in the upcoming film "Bareilly Ki Barfi", says it was a very fresh for her to play a character from Uttar Pradesh.

To Play Up Girl In 'Bareilly...' Was Very Fresh: Kriti Sanon

Kapil Sharma Still Wants Sunil Grover On His Show. Here's The Proof

Kapil Sharma Still Wants Sunil Grover On His Show. Here's The Proof
Though both the comedians are working with reasonable success, the magic of their collaboration is still missed by many.

Kapil Sharma Still Wants Sunil Grover On His Show. Here's The Proof

Priyanka Chopra Slays At CFDA Fashion Awards, Clicks With Michael Kors—See Pic!

Priyanka Chopra Slays At CFDA Fashion Awards, Clicks With Michael Kors—See Pic!
Priyanka Chopra is a famous name not just in the country but in the West as well. The diva has worked hard to make a place for herself in the foreign land and how!

Priyanka Chopra Slays At CFDA Fashion Awards, Clicks With Michael Kors—See Pic!

See Pics: Nawazuddin Siddiqui’s Children Have Been Silently Making Versova Beach More Clean!

See Pics: Nawazuddin Siddiqui’s Children Have Been Silently Making Versova Beach More Clean!
The children of the 43-year-old actor are quite young and, interestingly, they have realised their social responsibility already.

See Pics: Nawazuddin Siddiqui’s Children Have Been Silently Making Versova Beach More Clean!

WATCH: Shraddha Kapoor Unleashes Her Crazy Side In This Latest Video!

Bollywood's young and talented Shraddha Kapoor is currently basking in the glory of her last successful venture 'Half Girlfriend'. The film did well at the Box Office and the makers even celebrated its success with a grand party.

WATCH: Shraddha Kapoor Unleashes Her Crazy Side In This Latest Video!