Monday, May 25, 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

Shah Rukh Reveals Imtiaz Ali’s Tamasha In Middle Of The Night. Is He SRK’s 4 Am Friend? See Pics

Shah Rukh Reveals Imtiaz Ali’s Tamasha In Middle Of The Night. Is He SRK’s 4 Am Friend? See Pics
"Late night discussions with my director Imtiaz. He said 'Aaj Kal' main sirf 'Highway' par 'Tamasha' karta hoon," Shah Rukh tweeted on Saturday night.

Shah Rukh Reveals Imtiaz Ali’s Tamasha In Middle Of The Night. Is He SRK’s 4 Am Friend? See Pics

I Don't Take Link Up Rumours Seriously, Says Athiya Shetty

I Don't Take Link Up Rumours Seriously, Says Athiya Shetty
Asked why are actors linked with their co-actors and how does she deal with it, Athiya told: "I don't take them seriously!"

I Don't Take Link Up Rumours Seriously, Says Athiya Shetty

Amitabh Bachchan Suffers From Strained Neck

Amitabh Bachchan Suffers From Strained Neck
The 74-year-old thespian was photographed wearing a neck brace while he attended his daughter-in-law and actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan's father's funeral here on March 18. 

Amitabh Bachchan Suffers From Strained Neck

Wonderful To Be Part Of Sanjay Dutt's Biopic: Dia Mirza

Actress-producer Dia Mirza, who will play the role of Sanjay Dutt's wife Manyata in the actor's biopic, says it's wonderful to be part of the project.

Wonderful To Be Part Of Sanjay Dutt's Biopic: Dia Mirza

Now Get Hands On Jacqueline Fernandez's Beauty Line

Now Get Hands On Jacqueline Fernandez's Beauty Line
Bollywood actress Jacqueline Fernandez has come up with her own signature cosmetic line titled Sealed with Jacqueline's Kiss.

Now Get Hands On Jacqueline Fernandez's Beauty Line

Kajal Aggarwal Finds Herself Technologically Challenged

Actress Kajal Aggarwal, who has launched her own mobile app, says she isn't abreast with technology.

Kajal Aggarwal Finds Herself Technologically Challenged