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

Parineeti Chopra Upset Over Attack In 'Friendliest' City Manchester

Parineeti Chopra Upset Over Attack In 'Friendliest' City Manchester
Days after a blast at a concert venue in Manchester, Indian actress Parineeti Chopra who had stayed in the city for three years, has condemned the attack.

Parineeti Chopra Upset Over Attack In 'Friendliest' City Manchester

Don't Buy Animals, Adopt Them: Richa Chadha

Don't Buy Animals, Adopt Them: Richa Chadha
After spending some time at an animal rescue centre here, actress Richa Chadha has urged people to adopt animals instead of buying them.

Don't Buy Animals, Adopt Them: Richa Chadha

Anushka Sharma Spreads Swachh Bharat Message

Actress Anushka Sharma, who is a face of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ambitious Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan campaign, has urged the public towards building a healthy and sanitised nation.

Anushka Sharma Spreads Swachh Bharat Message

Farhan Urges Youth To Push Dialogue On Gender Violence

Farhan Urges Youth To Push Dialogue On Gender Violence
Actor-filmmaker Farhan Akhtar on Tuesday launched a new campaign to combat gender-based violence and urged the youngsters to take the movement forward by creating a new age of dialogue.

Farhan Urges Youth To Push Dialogue On Gender Violence

Listen: Ar Rahman's Son Makes Hindi Singing Debut With Sachin: A Billion Dreams

Listen: Ar Rahman's Son Makes Hindi Singing Debut With Sachin: A Billion Dreams
Oscar-winning composer A.R. Rahman's son A.R. Ameen made his singing debut in Hindi with "Sachin: A Billion Dreams".

Listen: Ar Rahman's Son Makes Hindi Singing Debut With Sachin: A Billion Dreams

Are Baywatch Makers Now Uncertain About Priyanka Chopra’s Stardom?

Are Baywatch Makers Now Uncertain About Priyanka Chopra’s Stardom?
Priyanka Chopra’s debut Hollywood film Baywatch’s makers don’t seem to be doing much to promote the film in India. What could be the reason?

Are Baywatch Makers Now Uncertain About Priyanka Chopra’s Stardom?