Wednesday, May 13, 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

Sunny Leone Turns 35: Here Are Things You Didn’t Know About The Actor

Sunny Leone Turns 35: Here Are Things You Didn’t Know About The Actor
Did you know that Sunny Leone was studying to be a nurse? Or that she is in love with Delhi’s street food? We bring you these and many more lesser known facts about the actor who has turned 35.

Sunny Leone Turns 35: Here Are Things You Didn’t Know About The Actor

After Divorce, Malaika Arora Officially Drops 'Khan' From Her Name

Malaika Arora and Arbaaz Khan ended their 18-year marriage legally on Thursday.

After Divorce, Malaika Arora Officially Drops 'Khan' From Her Name

Priyanka Chopra In Talks For Her Next Hollywood Film With Jim Parsons, Claire Danes?

Priyanka Chopra In Talks For Her Next Hollywood Film With Jim Parsons, Claire Danes?
Actress Priyanka Chopra, whose debut Hollywood film is yet to hit the screens, is already in talks to join actors Jim Parsons and Claire Danes in an upcoming drama "A Kid Like Jake".

Priyanka Chopra In Talks For Her Next Hollywood Film With Jim Parsons, Claire Danes?

Mother's Day: Showbiz Salutes The 'Special' Woman

Mother's Day: Showbiz Salutes The 'Special' Woman
Mother's Day will be celebrated on Sunday this year. Here's how these celebrities have paid tribute to their respective mothers:

Mother's Day: Showbiz Salutes The 'Special' Woman

Vivek Oberoi Gifts 25 Flats In Thane To Families Of Sukma CRPF Martyrs And We're Extremely Proud Of

Vivek Oberoi Gifts 25 Flats In Thane To Families Of Sukma CRPF Martyrs And We're Extremely Proud Of
While four flats have already been allotted, another 21 are being reserved in a housing complex constructed by his company, Karrm Infrastructures Pvt. Ltd, at their Thane project.

Vivek Oberoi Gifts 25 Flats In Thane To Families Of Sukma CRPF Martyrs And We're Extremely Proud Of

Rahul Roy: There Is So Much More That I Want To Do In The Industry

Rahul Roy Shot To Fame With ‘aashiqui’ In 1990, But Has Been Missing From Bollywood For Quite Some Time.

Rahul Roy: There Is So Much More That I Want To Do In The Industry