Monday, May 11, 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

Tiger Shroff Shares First Look Of 'Munna Michael'

Tiger Shroff Shares First Look Of 'Munna Michael'
The poster of India's first dance-action movie ' Munna Michael' is out and it seems like Tiger Shroff is all set to show off his cool moves.

Tiger Shroff Shares First Look Of 'Munna Michael'

This Is When Rajkumar Hirani's Sanjay Dutt Biopic Will Hit Theatres

This Is When Rajkumar Hirani's Sanjay Dutt Biopic Will Hit Theatres
The release date of the Sanjay Dutt biopic starring Ranbir Kapoor has been locked to 30 March, 2018.

This Is When Rajkumar Hirani's Sanjay Dutt Biopic Will Hit Theatres

PICS: Priyanka Chopra Wraps Up 'Baywatch's London Tour With Style

PICS: Priyanka Chopra Wraps Up 'Baywatch's London Tour With Style
Priyanka Chopra is in London to promote her debut Hollywood flick 'Baywatch' and the diva ended her tour by upping the fashion ante.

PICS: Priyanka Chopra Wraps Up 'Baywatch's London Tour With Style

Got To Know About Dharmendra's Star Status Through Google: Australian Actor Travis Jeffery

Australian actor Travis Jeffery says he got to know about the stardom of Indian veteran actor Dharmendra through Google.

Got To Know About Dharmendra's Star Status Through Google: Australian Actor Travis Jeffery

This Throwback Picture Of SRK, Karan Johar and Farah Khan Is Really Awwdorable!!

This Throwback Picture Of SRK, Karan Johar and Farah Khan Is Really Awwdorable!!
Everyone knows about Farah Khan's close friendship between Shah Rukh Khan and Karan Johar. The trio share a lovely  camaraderie not just onscreen but off-screen too.

This Throwback Picture Of SRK, Karan Johar and Farah Khan Is Really Awwdorable!!

Dharmendra Considers Himself A Newcomer In Bollywood

The 81-year-old actor, who is working on his first international short film "Dream Catcher", added that he wants to immerse himself in work.

Dharmendra Considers Himself A Newcomer In Bollywood