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

'Gangs Of Wasseypur' Was Best Training Ground: Richa Chadha

'Gangs Of Wasseypur' Was Best Training Ground: Richa Chadha
Actress Richa Chadha, who has had a successful innings in Hindi cinema, says Anurag Kashyap's "Gangs Of Wasseypur" -- which saw her in a powerful supporting role as Nagma Khatoon -- says the movie turned out to be a great training ground.

'Gangs Of Wasseypur' Was Best Training Ground: Richa Chadha

Sari Flatters Female Form Beautifully: Malaika Arora

Celebrity Malaika Arora, who has shot in a vibrant sari for Satya Paul's new spring-summer 2017 collection, says the six-yard wonder exudes elegance.

Sari Flatters Female Form Beautifully: Malaika Arora

Indian Singer Akasa Singh Collaborates With Ricky Martin

Indian Singer Akasa Singh Collaborates With Ricky Martin
Indian singer Akasa Singh has collaborated with Spanish singer Ricky Martin for a English-Hindi mix song titled "Vente Pa Ca". She says it was a dream to work with him.

Indian Singer Akasa Singh Collaborates With Ricky Martin

Would Like To Do Something On TV: Shamita Shetty

Would Like To Do Something On TV: Shamita Shetty
Actress Shamita Shetty, who has been part of reality shows like "Bigg Boss 3" and "Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa", says she is keen to do something on the small screen.

Would Like To Do Something On TV: Shamita Shetty

Himesh Reshammiya Touched By Five-year-old Singer On TV Show

Himesh Reshammiya Touched By Five-year-old Singer On TV Show
Composer Himesh Reshammiya feels Jayash, a five-year-old contestant of popular singing reality show "Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Li'l Champs", has some divine powers. 

Himesh Reshammiya Touched By Five-year-old Singer On TV Show

Don't Want To Make Films To Win Awards: Arbaaz Khan

As an actor, he might be open to taking up almost all kind of roles, but Arbaaz Khan says when it comes to producing and directing a film, he is inclined towards mainstream cinema.

Don't Want To Make Films To Win Awards: Arbaaz Khan