Monday, June 1, 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

Kylie Minogue Ditches Bra For Photoshoot

Kylie Minogue Ditches Bra For Photoshoot
Singer Kylie Minogue went braless for her first photoshoot since splitting from her fiance Joshua Sasse.

Kylie Minogue Ditches Bra For Photoshoot

When Rana Daggubati Felt Intensely Patriotic

Actor Rana Daggubati delivers an important speech towards the end of forthcoming Telugu-Hindi bilingual drama "Ghazi". He says he felt intensely patriotic while delivering these lines.

When Rana Daggubati Felt Intensely Patriotic

Self-Defence Gaining Popularity In India: Akshay Kumar

Self-Defence Gaining Popularity In India: Akshay Kumar
Action star Akshay Kumar, who has a black belt in Taekwondo, says that self-defense is generating a lot of interest among India's younger generation.

Self-Defence Gaining Popularity In India: Akshay Kumar

See Pics: Kapil Sharma Names New Pet After His Film 'Firangi'

Ace comedian-actor Kapil Sharma has got a pet dog whom he has named after his upcoming film "Firangi".

See Pics: Kapil Sharma Names New Pet After His Film 'Firangi'

The Profession Shall Retire Me, Or My Body Will: Amitabh Bachchan

The Profession Shall Retire Me, Or My Body Will: Amitabh Bachchan
"There is these times, the question raised by many, on why I do not retire and hang my boots up and relax... Thank you... But no thank you," Amitabh posted on his blog.

The Profession Shall Retire Me, Or My Body Will: Amitabh Bachchan

'Jolly LLB 2' Mints Over Rs 13 Crore On Opening Day

'Jolly LLB 2' Mints Over Rs 13 Crore On Opening Day
Actor Akshay Kumars courtroom drama film "Jolly LLB 2", which features him as lawyer Jagdishwar Mishra aka Jolly, raked in Rs 13.20 crore on its opening day at the box office, the makers have said.

'Jolly LLB 2' Mints Over Rs 13 Crore On Opening Day