Sunday, May 31, 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

Madhavan Proud Of Son's Swimming Feat

Madhavan Proud Of Son's Swimming Feat
Actor R. Madhavan on Saturday said his son's achievement in a swimming competition has made him a proud father.

Madhavan Proud Of Son's Swimming Feat

Retro 'Indu Sarkar' For Youngsters To Know About Emergency: Madhur Bhandarkar

National Award winner Madhur Bhandarkar, who recently wrapped up shooting of "Indu Sarkar", set against the Emergency, believes the younger generation should know about what transpired during the turbulent 21-month period in the 1970s.

Retro 'Indu Sarkar' For Youngsters To Know About Emergency: Madhur Bhandarkar

Annu Kapoor Announces Plans To Release Four Books

Annu Kapoor Announces Plans To Release Four Books
Veteran actor Annu Kapoor, ahead of his 61st birthday which falls on February 20, has announced that he is planning to publish four books.

Annu Kapoor Announces Plans To Release Four Books

Viral Video: Pak Actor Saba Qamar Calls Salman Chhichhora, Insults Hrithik And Emraan

Viral Video: Pak Actor Saba Qamar Calls Salman Chhichhora, Insults Hrithik And Emraan
After Mahira Khan slamming Bollywood in a video went viral last month, here is another Pakistani actor, Saba Qamar calling Salman Khan a chhichhora and insulting other Bollywood actors.

Viral Video: Pak Actor Saba Qamar Calls Salman Chhichhora, Insults Hrithik And Emraan

Relationships Have No Rules, Says Nandita Das Who Recently Ended 7-Year Marriage

Actress-director Nandita Das, who recently split from husband Subodh Maskara after being married for seven years, says relationships have no rules and are "very personal".

Relationships Have No Rules, Says Nandita Das Who Recently Ended 7-Year Marriage

Not Keen On Just Dating, Want To Get Married: Kangana Ranaut

Actress Kangana Ranaut, who has gone through her share of tumultous relationships, has revealed that she has found someone she loves "deeply", but dating is not on her mind -- she wants to take the plunge and get married.

Not Keen On Just Dating, Want To Get Married: Kangana Ranaut