Saturday, May 23, 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

As Shraddha Kapoor Parties With Aditya Roy Kapur, Is Farhan Akhtar Upset?

As Shraddha Kapoor Parties With Aditya Roy Kapur, Is Farhan Akhtar Upset?
"Farhan was pretty upset with Aditya and things took a wrong turn from there,' said a source

As Shraddha Kapoor Parties With Aditya Roy Kapur, Is Farhan Akhtar Upset?

Bindu Such A Special Role For Me: Parineeti

Bindu Such A Special Role For Me: Parineeti
Actress Parineeti Chopra says her character from the forthcoming film "Meri Pyaari Bindu" is very special for her.

Bindu Such A Special Role For Me: Parineeti

Iulia Vantur Has Bollywood Mainstream Voice, Says Himesh

Iulia Vantur Has Bollywood Mainstream Voice, Says Himesh
Singer-composer-actor Himesh Reshammiya, who teamed up with Iulia Vantur for his latest album "Aap Se Mausiiquii", says she has a Bollywood mainstream voice.

Iulia Vantur Has Bollywood Mainstream Voice, Says Himesh

Anupam Kher To Connect With 'Lonely, Depressed' People

Veteran actor Anupam Kher has shared his e-mail address on social media as he wants to connect with "lonely or depressed" people. He feels that there is a need to listen to the young generation and not pass off their silence.

Anupam Kher To Connect With 'Lonely, Depressed' People

Big B Crosses 26 Million Mark On Twitter

Big B Crosses 26 Million Mark On Twitter
Megastar Amitabh Bachchan has scored a fan following of 26 million on the micro-blogging platform Twitter.

Big B Crosses 26 Million Mark On Twitter

Meeting Big B is delightful experience: Anupam Kher

Veteran actor Anupam Kher says meeting megastar Amitabh Bachchan is always a delightful for experience for him.

Meeting Big B is delightful experience: Anupam Kher