Thursday, June 4, 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

Pakistan To Screen Bollywood Films

Pakistan To Screen Bollywood Films
Two days after Pakistan agreed to lift a ban on Indian films after months of suspension, the Information and Broadcasting Ministry issued a gazette notification outlining the rules for import and screening of popular Bollywood films.

Pakistan To Screen Bollywood Films

Farhan Akhtar To Play Homi Adajania's Character In Film

Actor-filmmaker Farhan Akhtar is set to play director Homi Adajania's character in the quirky comedy "The Fakir of Venice".

Farhan Akhtar To Play Homi Adajania's Character In Film

After Tabu,Neil Nitin Mukesh Joins 'Golmaal' Gang

After Tabu,Neil Nitin Mukesh Joins 'Golmaal' Gang
After Tabu, actor Neil Nitin Mukesh has joined the cast of Rohit Shetty's fourth instalment of hit comedy franchise "Golmaal".

After Tabu,Neil Nitin Mukesh Joins 'Golmaal' Gang

Jackie Shroff Turns 60, Son Says His Looks Defy Age

Jackie Shroff Turns 60, Son Says His Looks Defy Age
Actor Jackie Shroff turned 60 on Wednesday. His son Tiger Shroff, also an actor, believes his father doesn't look his age.

Jackie Shroff Turns 60, Son Says His Looks Defy Age

Amitabh Roots For Narmada River's Cleanliness Campaign

Megastar Amitabh Bachchan has hailed Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan's initiative "Namami Devi Narmade" Narmada Seva Yatra, which aims at making the Narmada river free of pollution.

Amitabh Roots For Narmada River's Cleanliness Campaign

Attempt Is To Make Films Everyone Can Enjoy: Varun Dhawan

Bollywood actor Varun Dhawan, who has been loved for his roles in several commercial films like "Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania" and "Dishoom", on Wednesday said he attempts to make films that everyone can watch and enjoy.

Attempt Is To Make Films Everyone Can Enjoy: Varun Dhawan