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

Women's Health An Issue Close To My Heart: Raveena Tandon

Actress Raveena Tandon, also a social activist, has lent support to a She's Ambassador campaign, aimed at empowering young girls to make decisions favourable to healthy lifestyles and social development. She says it's an issue she cares about whole-heartedly.

Women's Health An Issue Close To My Heart: Raveena Tandon

Dilip Kumar 'Active' On Facebook

A moving video of veteran actress Saira Banu trying to urge her ailing husband, the legendary actor Dilip Kumar to react, is among the first updates to be shared on his official Facebook account.

Dilip Kumar 'Active' On Facebook

IIFA Returns To US: New York To Host Its 18th Edition

IIFA Returns To US: New York To Host Its 18th Edition
The organisers of the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Weekend and Awards are readying a "big blockbuster" for the gala's 18th edition to be hosted in New York this July.

IIFA Returns To US: New York To Host Its 18th Edition

Nude Images Of Miley Cyrus, Waterhouse Leaked

Singer Miley Cyrus and model-actress Suki Waterhouse's nude photographs have been leaked online.

Nude Images Of Miley Cyrus, Waterhouse Leaked

Taapsee Pannu begins 'action' for 'Judwaa 2'

Taapsee Pannu begins 'action' for 'Judwaa 2'
It's 'lights, camera, action' time again for Taapsee Pannu, who has just delivered the action-packed film "Naam Shabana". The actress has now started filming here for "Judwaa 2".

Taapsee Pannu begins 'action' for 'Judwaa 2'

Don't Have Much At Stake: Swara Bhaskar On Being Frank

Don't Have Much At Stake: Swara Bhaskar On Being Frank
Actress Swara Bhaskar, who is known for being outspoken about her thoughts, says she is not afraid to speak her mind as "doesn't have much at stake".

Don't Have Much At Stake: Swara Bhaskar On Being Frank