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

'Maaya' Not Inspired By 'Fifty Shades Of Grey': Vikram Bhat

In an interview, Bhatt spoke about the reason behind doing the web-series and why making it as a feature film was not an option he considered

'Maaya' Not Inspired By 'Fifty Shades Of Grey': Vikram Bhat

WATCH: Kunal Kemmu Features In Rahat Fateh Ali Khan's Song

WATCH: Kunal Kemmu Features In Rahat Fateh Ali Khan's Song
Bollywood actor Kunal Kemmu and Miss India Grand International 2015 Vartika Singh have featured in Pakistani singer Rahat Fateh Ali Khan's new romantic song, amidst tension between the two countries.

WATCH: Kunal Kemmu Features In Rahat Fateh Ali Khan's Song

Naseeruddin, Arshad Come Together For New Film

Naseeruddin, Arshad Come Together For New Film
Veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah and Arshad Warsi, whose chemistry added to the charm of "Ishqiya" and "Dedh Ishqiya", are coming together on the screen once again for a film, tentatively titled "Koi Jaane Na".

Naseeruddin, Arshad Come Together For New Film

Deepika Padukone Takes Lungi Dance International. First, Vin Diesel. Now, James Corden

Deepika Padukone Takes Lungi Dance International. First, Vin Diesel. Now, James Corden
xXx 3 stars Deepika Padukone and Vin Diesel went on The Late Late Show With James Corden last night and it was an extremely Bollywood appearance

Deepika Padukone Takes Lungi Dance International. First, Vin Diesel. Now, James Corden

Khullam Khulla: Rishi Kapoor Says Raj Kapoor Had Affairs With Nargis, Vyajanthimala

Khullam Khulla: Rishi Kapoor Says Raj Kapoor Had Affairs With Nargis, Vyajanthimala
Rishi Kapoor on Raj Kapoor's alleged affairs: Rishi Kapoor describes Nargis, who is featured in the logo of the Kapoor-owned RK Studios, as Raj Kapoor's 'in-house heroine'

Khullam Khulla: Rishi Kapoor Says Raj Kapoor Had Affairs With Nargis, Vyajanthimala

Priyanka Chopra Wins Second People's Choice Award For Quantico, Watch Her Acceptance Speech

Priyanka Chopra Wins Second People's Choice Award For Quantico, Watch Her Acceptance Speech
Indian actress Priyanka Chopra made India proud yet again when she was chosen as the Favourite Dramatic TV Actress over American actresses Ellen Pompeo, Kerry Washington, Taraji P. Henson and Viola Davis at the People's Choice Awards 2017.

Priyanka Chopra Wins Second People's Choice Award For Quantico, Watch Her Acceptance Speech