Tuesday, May 12, 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

Priyanka Chopra Regrets Hair Extensions

Actress Priyanka Chopra, whose Hollywood debut "Baywatch" has released in the US, says she regrets wearing "a lot of extensions" in her hair.

Priyanka Chopra Regrets Hair Extensions

Deepika Padukone Leads A New Social Media Trend!

Owing to Deepika Padukone's popularity across the globe, the actress emerges with maximum number of followers on social media platforms. 

Deepika Padukone Leads A New Social Media Trend!

WATCH: Andy Cohen Makes Priyanka Chopra Pick Who's Bigger Between The Rock And Zac Efron

WATCH: Andy Cohen Makes Priyanka Chopra Pick Who's Bigger Between The Rock And Zac Efron
As the release date comes near, Priyanka Chopra is busy juggling between different chat shows to promote her Hollywood debut 'Baywatch'.

WATCH: Andy Cohen Makes Priyanka Chopra Pick Who's Bigger Between The Rock And Zac Efron

Ramadan Mubarak, Wishes Bollywood On Twitter!

Ramadan Mubarak, Wishes Bollywood On Twitter!
The holy month of Ramazan has begun from today and Muslims around the world keep a dawn-to-dusk fast for the entire month. It is believed that the holy book of Quran was written during this month

Ramadan Mubarak, Wishes Bollywood On Twitter!

Badlapur 2: Deepika Padukone Steps Into The Shoes Of Varun Dhawan?

Badlapur 2: Deepika Padukone Steps Into The Shoes Of Varun Dhawan?
If the latest buzz is anything to go by, then Deepika is all set to step into the shoes of Varun Dhawan in ‘Badlapur 2’.

Badlapur 2: Deepika Padukone Steps Into The Shoes Of Varun Dhawan?

Aamir Khan's 'Dangal' remains UNSTOPPABLE in China!

Bollywood's Mr Perfectionist Aamir Khan has proved his acting mettle and amazing film choices yet again with the huge success of 'Dangal'. The film has created history not just on the home ground but also across the globe.

Aamir Khan's 'Dangal' remains UNSTOPPABLE in China!