Tuesday, June 2, 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

Watch Video: Kushal Tandon Saves Jennifer Winget As Beyhadh Sets Catch Fire, Suffers Burns

Watch Video: Kushal Tandon Saves Jennifer Winget As Beyhadh Sets Catch Fire, Suffers Burns
Kushal Tandon pulled Jennifer Winget out of the burning mandap in which they were shooting when she 'just froze'

Watch Video: Kushal Tandon Saves Jennifer Winget As Beyhadh Sets Catch Fire, Suffers Burns

Shahid Kapoor's Epic Response When Asked About Cold War With Kangana Ranaut

Shahid Kapoor's Epic Response When Asked About Cold War With Kangana Ranaut
Shahid Kapoor and Kangana Ranaut reportedly did not get along on the sets of Rangoon. When asked for a comment on this, Shahid said: "Just take it easy bro. It is all good"

Shahid Kapoor's Epic Response When Asked About Cold War With Kangana Ranaut

Gaining Muscle, Not Fat For Role In Padmavati: Shahid Kapoor- See PICS

Gaining Muscle, Not Fat For Role In Padmavati: Shahid Kapoor- See PICS
Bollywood actor Shahid Kapoor who is playing a role in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's upcoming "Padmavati" said that he was gaining muscle to get the perfect look for his character in the film.

Gaining Muscle, Not Fat For Role In Padmavati: Shahid Kapoor- See PICS

Let's Become Incorruptible: Kamal Haasan

Reacting to the current political turmoil in Tamil Nadu, actor-filmmaker Kamal Haasan on Wednesday said there's no use blaming corrupt politicians.

Let's Become Incorruptible: Kamal Haasan

'Sarkar 3' Release Date Shifted To April 7

Ram Gopal Varma's "Sarkar 3", featuring megastar Amitabh Bachchan, will now release on April 7 instead of March 17.

'Sarkar 3' Release Date Shifted To April 7

Sonu Sood's Next A Biopic

Bollywood actor Sonu Sood, who shared screen space with martial arts star Jackie Chan in "Kung Fu Yoga", says he is set to act in and produce a biopic.

Sonu Sood's Next A Biopic