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

Kaalakaandi Teaser: Saif Ali Khan Has 'No Idea' What He's Doing

Kaalakaandi Teaser: Saif Ali Khan Has 'No Idea' What He's Doing
Akshat Verma, writer of the cult film Delhi Belly, promises to take you on another roller-coaster ride with his directorial debut.

Kaalakaandi Teaser: Saif Ali Khan Has 'No Idea' What He's Doing

After Sonam, Amitabh Bachchan Now Reminds Ranveer For Not Acknowledging His Birthday Wish!

After Sonam, Amitabh Bachchan Now Reminds Ranveer For Not Acknowledging His Birthday Wish!
Ranveer Singh recently celebrated his birthday which falls on July 6.The actor received a lot of birthday messages on his Twitter account including one from veteran actor Amitabh Bachchan.

After Sonam, Amitabh Bachchan Now Reminds Ranveer For Not Acknowledging His Birthday Wish!

Wembley Concert: Fans 'Disappointed' As Rahman Croons Non-Hindi Songs

Wembley Concert: Fans 'Disappointed' As Rahman Croons Non-Hindi Songs
Rahman's "Netru, Indru, Naalai" (Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow) gig at the London event on July 8 didn't hit the right chord with all his fans, especially his Bollywood-song admirers.

Wembley Concert: Fans 'Disappointed' As Rahman Croons Non-Hindi Songs

Aamir Khan Upset Over Not Being Able To Watch 'Jagga Jasoos'

Aamir Khan Upset Over Not Being Able To Watch 'Jagga Jasoos'
Superstar Aamir Khan says he is unhappy at not being able to watch the latest released musical adventure "Jagga Jasoos".

Aamir Khan Upset Over Not Being Able To Watch 'Jagga Jasoos'

Priyanka Chopra All Set To Produce Her First Hollywood Film

Priyanka Chopra All Set To Produce Her First Hollywood Film
  The Hollywood film will either deal with racism or highlight women's rights, as per reports.

Priyanka Chopra All Set To Produce Her First Hollywood Film

Priyanka To Ring In Her Birthday In Mumbai, Will Not Attend IIFA

When the whole B-town is heading towards New York City to ring in the IIFA 2017 Awards ceremony, diva of Bollywood Priyanka Chopra is heading in the opposite direction.

Priyanka To Ring In Her Birthday In Mumbai, Will Not Attend IIFA