Saturday, May 30, 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

Dubbing Is Like Reliving The Whole Film: Kriti Sanon

Actress Kriti Sanon says she used to hate dubbing for films, but has eventually started enjoying the process.

Dubbing Is Like Reliving The Whole Film: Kriti Sanon

Renuka Shahane, Sachin Khedekar Team Up After 20 Years

Actress Renuka Shahane, who last worked with actor Sachin Khedekar in the 1990s TV show "Sailaab", is teaming up with the actor after a gap of almost 20 years.

Renuka Shahane, Sachin Khedekar Team Up After 20 Years

Rani Mukerji Confirms Comeback With 'Hichki'

Rani Mukerji Confirms Comeback With 'Hichki'
Hichki, starring Rani Mukerji in the lead role, will be produced by Maneesh Sharma under the Yash Raj Films.

Rani Mukerji Confirms Comeback With 'Hichki'

Do Not Miss: First Look Poster of Ram Gopal Varma's Sarkar 3!

The third film in the blockbuster Sarkar franchise, this one has actors Yami Gautam and Amit Sadh representing the younger lot of Bollywood. Not to miss, Manoj Bajpayee, who is absolutely unrecognisable in the poster.

Do Not Miss: First Look Poster of Ram Gopal Varma's Sarkar 3!

Karan Johar Plays Down Kangana's Nepotism Remarks

Karan Johar Plays Down Kangana's Nepotism Remarks
Filmmaker Karan Johar says actress Kangana Ranaut's remarks about him promoting nepotism in the film industry doesn't hold true for him, adding that she made "sweeping statements" to make an impact.

Karan Johar Plays Down Kangana's Nepotism Remarks

SRK Denies He Refused To Work With Kangana

Superstar Shah Rukh Khan has denied reports that he didn't want to work with actress Kangana Ranaut in a Sanjay Leela Bhansali film.

SRK Denies He Refused To Work With Kangana