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

'Dangal' crosses Rs 385 crore in India, Aamir feels 'touched'

'Dangal' crosses Rs 385 crore in India, Aamir feels 'touched'
Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan, whose sports drama film "Dangal" is running successfully in theatres and has raked in over Rs 385 crore at the box office, says he is "touched and humbled" by the films success.

'Dangal' crosses Rs 385 crore in India, Aamir feels 'touched'

Alia Bhatt Goes Bold; Reveals Stuff About Love, Life In Candid Interview

‘Udta Punjab' Actress Alia Bhatt Has Fielded Tricky Posers With Rare, Disarming Candour In An Interview With Vogue India For Its February 2017 Issue, Here Are A Few Excerpts...

Alia Bhatt Goes Bold; Reveals Stuff About Love, Life In Candid Interview

Bobby Deol Talks About Lost Stardom And How Imtiaz Ali Seemingly Screwed Him Over

Bobby Deol Talks About Lost Stardom And How Imtiaz Ali Seemingly Screwed Him Over
The actor says that the perception that he'll only do starry roles and not anything else caused a dent in his career.

Bobby Deol Talks About Lost Stardom And How Imtiaz Ali Seemingly Screwed Him Over

'Padmavati' Attack: ‘Enraged, Horrified,' Tweet Celebs After Sanjay Leela Bhansali Attacked In Jai

‘Enraged, Horrified,' Tweet Celebs After Sanjay Leela Bhansali Was Attacked. Padmavati stars Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh and Shahid Kapur in the lead.

'Padmavati' Attack: ‘Enraged, Horrified,' Tweet Celebs After Sanjay Leela Bhansali Attacked In Jai

Ex-Friend Amar Singh Says Amitabh And Jaya Are Living Separately

Ex-Friend Amar Singh Says Amitabh And Jaya Are Living Separately
Amar Singh, who was one of Amitabh Bachchan's closest friends, has dropped a bomb, claiming that the husband-wife duo of Amitabh and Jaya Bachchan aren't living together anymore.

Ex-Friend Amar Singh Says Amitabh And Jaya Are Living Separately

Arshad Warsi Showed Me The Way To Do 'Jolly LLB 2': Akshay Kumar

Arshad Warsi Showed Me The Way To Do 'Jolly LLB 2': Akshay Kumar
Akshay said he spoke to Arshad after coming on board for the court room drama. 

Arshad Warsi Showed Me The Way To Do 'Jolly LLB 2': Akshay Kumar