Thursday, February 5, 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

Jagga Jasoos Box Office Collection Day 3: Ranbir Kapoor Film Earns Rs 33.17 Crores

Jagga Jasoos Box Office Collection Day 3: Ranbir Kapoor Film Earns Rs 33.17 Crores
Ranbir Kapoor and Katrina Kaif-starrer "Jagga Jasoos" saw a good jump over the weekend to take its total box office collection in the country to Rs 33.17 crore.

Jagga Jasoos Box Office Collection Day 3: Ranbir Kapoor Film Earns Rs 33.17 Crores

Time For Us To Evolve As A Society, Says Bhumi Pednekar

Time For Us To Evolve As A Society, Says Bhumi Pednekar
Actress Bhumi Pednekar, who is gearing up for the release of her upcoming film "Toilet: Ek Prem Katha", says that its time for us to change and evolve as a society.

Time For Us To Evolve As A Society, Says Bhumi Pednekar

IIFA 2017 PICS: Shahid, Alia Win Best Actors For Udta Punjab, 'Neerja' Best Film

IIFA 2017 PICS: Shahid, Alia Win Best Actors For Udta Punjab, 'Neerja' Best Film
Diljit Dosanjh Walks Away With The Best Debutante

IIFA 2017 PICS: Shahid, Alia Win Best Actors For Udta Punjab, 'Neerja' Best Film

Amitabh Bachchan Angry With Kumar Vishwas After Copyright Violation On Harivansh Poem

Amitabh Bachchan Angry With Kumar Vishwas After Copyright Violation On Harivansh Poem
Amitabh Bachchan has sent out an angry legal notice to Kumar Vishwas asking him to remove a poetry of his late father.

Amitabh Bachchan Angry With Kumar Vishwas After Copyright Violation On Harivansh Poem

OMG! Salman Wished Katrina Happy Birthday In Cutest Way Possible In New York!

OMG! Salman Wished Katrina Happy Birthday In Cutest Way Possible In New York!
Bollywood superstar Salman Khan sprang a surprise for Katrina Kaif when he sang the "Happy Birthday" song for the actress, who will turn a year older on Sunday.

OMG! Salman Wished Katrina Happy Birthday In Cutest Way Possible In New York!

Deepika Padukone Gets Body-Shamed On Instagram For Being Too Skinny!

Deepika Padukone Gets Body-Shamed On Instagram For Being Too Skinny!
The tall and talented Deepika Padukone has a huge fan following and is currently busy working on Sanjay Leela Bhansali's period drama 'Padmavati'. The actress, who has over 18 million followers on Instagram recently found herself in a tight spot.

Deepika Padukone Gets Body-Shamed On Instagram For Being Too Skinny!