Wednesday, May 20, 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

A Window To India's Rising Soft Power -- Bollywood

A Window To India's Rising Soft Power -- Bollywood
In "Bollywood Boom", the author opens a window to the spectacular success of Bollywood in the 21st century and its direct contribution to India's rising soft power and influence. 

A Window To India's Rising Soft Power -- Bollywood

Schwarzenegger Sets The Bar High For Action: Vidyut Jammwal

Bollywood's action star Vidyut Jammwal, who is looking forward to watch Arnold Schwarzenegger's next movie "Aftermath", says the Hollywood star has always set the bar for daredevilry in films high.

Schwarzenegger Sets The Bar High For Action: Vidyut Jammwal

'Anaarkali Of Aarah' Role Was A Risk, Says Swara

'Anaarkali Of Aarah' Role Was A Risk, Says Swara
Actress Swara Bhaskar, who has been lauded for her role as a village dancer in the film "Anaarkali of Aarah", says it was a risk she took.

'Anaarkali Of Aarah' Role Was A Risk, Says Swara

Wish Pakistan censor board gave 'Begum Jaan' a viewing: Mahesh Bhatt

Wish Pakistan censor board gave 'Begum Jaan' a viewing: Mahesh Bhatt
Filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, whose latest production "Begum Jaan" -- set against the backdrop of India's Partition in 1947 -- won't release in Pakistan, wishes the censor board in the neighbouring country would have given it a watch.

Wish Pakistan censor board gave 'Begum Jaan' a viewing: Mahesh Bhatt

'Baahubali' was possible because of Prabhas, says Rajamouli

'Baahubali' was possible because of Prabhas, says Rajamouli
Filmmaker S.S. Rajamouli says a magnum opus like the two-part "Baahubali" could be possible thanks to an actor like Prabhas, who has dedicated so much time to the project.

'Baahubali' was possible because of Prabhas, says Rajamouli

In Today's India, The Mind Is Not Without Fear: Filmmaker Vikram Bhatt

In a nation where Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore wrote "Where The Mind Is Without Fear" -- a stirring ode recited with immense pride by India's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru -- filmmaker Vikram Bhatt believes the golden words now are "unfortunately not true".

In Today's India, The Mind Is Not Without Fear: Filmmaker Vikram Bhatt