Wednesday, June 3, 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

Eid Release Is Owned By Salman Khan: Karan Johar

Eid Release Is Owned By Salman Khan: Karan Johar
Filmmaker Karan Johar, whose forthcoming film "Badrinath Ki Dulhania" will hit the screens on Holi, says that he doesn't want to release any of his films on Eid as the festive time is for Bollywood superstar Salman Khan's movies.

Eid Release Is Owned By Salman Khan: Karan Johar

Shraddha Kapoor Takes Time Out For Cousin's Birthday

Shraddha Kapoor Takes Time Out For Cousin's Birthday
Actress Shraddha Kapoor, who is currently busy shooting a biopic, took half a day off to make time for her cousin sister's birthday.

Shraddha Kapoor Takes Time Out For Cousin's Birthday

Radhika Apte Likes SRK's Simple, Yet Classic Style

Actress Radhika Apte, who has in the past said she is a fan of Shah Rukh Khan, finds the Bollywood superstar's style simple yet classy.

Radhika Apte Likes SRK's Simple, Yet Classic Style

Bigg Boss 10 Winner Manveer Gurjar’s Seen Abusing On Video, Apologises

Bigg Boss 10 Winner Manveer Gurjar’s Seen Abusing On Video, Apologises
A video of Bigg Boss 10 winner Manveer Gurjar with his friends found its way on social media and shocked his fans due to abusive language. He later apologised.

Bigg Boss 10 Winner Manveer Gurjar’s Seen Abusing On Video, Apologises

Kangana Ranaut Mocks Deepika Padukone, Priyanka Chopra’s Move To Hollywood: It Is Stupid

Kangana Ranaut Mocks Deepika Padukone, Priyanka Chopra’s Move To Hollywood: It Is Stupid
Taking a dig at Hrithik Roshan, Kangana Ranaut says, "Intimidating women aren't worth having

Kangana Ranaut Mocks Deepika Padukone, Priyanka Chopra’s Move To Hollywood: It Is Stupid

Kajol Trolled By Daughter Nysa On Instagram

Kajol Trolled By Daughter Nysa On Instagram
Kajol, daughter Nysa’s posts on Instagram prove they are just a normal mother-daughter duo

Kajol Trolled By Daughter Nysa On Instagram