Friday, June 5, 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

'Airlift' is special for Akshay, Nimrat Kaur

Actor Akshay Kumar, who is gearing up for the release of his film "Jolly LLB 2", says "Airlift" is that one film which holds a special place in his heart.

'Airlift' is special for Akshay, Nimrat Kaur

Being A Friend, I Am Happy For Salman Khan: Daisy Shah

Daisy Shah is happy for her "Jai Ho" co-star and friend Salman Khan who was recently acquitted in an Arms Act case related to the alleged poaching of two blackbucks.

Being A Friend, I Am Happy For Salman Khan: Daisy Shah

SRK Takes AbRam's Help To Promote 'Raees'

SRK Takes AbRam's Help To Promote 'Raees'
Superstar Shah Rukh Khan took his three-year-old son AbRam's help to promote his forthcoming film "Raees".

SRK Takes AbRam's Help To Promote 'Raees'

Rishi Kapoor's book is witty, honest: Anil Kapoor

Actor Anil Kapoor says veteran actor Rishi Kapoors autobiography "Khullam Khulla - Rishi Kapoor Uncensored" is "insightful, witty and honest".

Rishi Kapoor's book is witty, honest: Anil Kapoor

Twinkle Khanna Lends Support To Educate Slum Kids

Twinkle Khanna Lends Support To Educate Slum Kids
Actress-turned-author and interior designer Twinkle Khanna has come forward to support education for slum children here.

Twinkle Khanna Lends Support To Educate Slum Kids

Sneha Wagh 'Excited' about her role in 'Sher-E-Punjab: Maharaja Ranjit Singh'

Sneha Wagh 'Excited' about her role in 'Sher-E-Punjab: Maharaja Ranjit Singh'
Sneha Wagh, who rose to fame with her motherly role in the show "Ek Veer Ki Ardaas...Veera" is all set to return to television after one-and-half years with the show "Sher-E-Punjab: Maharaja Ranjit Singh". The actress says she is very excited about her role.

Sneha Wagh 'Excited' about her role in 'Sher-E-Punjab: Maharaja Ranjit Singh'