Monday, June 8, 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

Bollywood meets fashion at 'Van Heusen and GQ Fashion Nights 2016' finale

Bollywood meets fashion at 'Van Heusen and GQ Fashion Nights 2016' finale
With ace designers like Rajesh Pratap Singh, Kunal Rawal and Rohit Bal showcasing their new menswear collection, the finale of 'Van Heusen and GQ Fashion Nights 2016' was truly grand.

Bollywood meets fashion at 'Van Heusen and GQ Fashion Nights 2016' finale

Big B, Sunny Lead In 'Hottest Vegetarian Celebrity' Contest

Big B, Sunny Lead In 'Hottest Vegetarian Celebrity' Contest
Megastar Amitabh Bachchan and actress Sunny Leone have been raking in the votes for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India's Hottest Vegetarian Celebrity 2016 contest.

Big B, Sunny Lead In 'Hottest Vegetarian Celebrity' Contest

‘Befikre' Has More Than Just Kissing Scenes, Says Ranveer

‘Befikre' Has More Than Just Kissing Scenes, Says Ranveer
Actor Ranveer Singh says that his forthcoming film "Befikre" has a nice story apart from the much talked about kissing scenes.

‘Befikre' Has More Than Just Kissing Scenes, Says Ranveer

Kabir Bedi Honoured With Keys To City Of Florence

Veteran Indian actor Kabir Bedi, who was the special guest at the 16th River to River Florence Indian Film Festival, has been honoured with the Keys to the City of Florence.

Kabir Bedi Honoured With Keys To City Of Florence

Karan Johar To Produce India's First War-at-sea Film

Karan Johar To Produce India's First War-at-sea Film
Filmmaker Karan Johar, in partnership with A.A. Films, is set to produce India's first war-at-sea film "The Ghazi Attack", which will feature actress Taapsee Pannu.

Karan Johar To Produce India's First War-at-sea Film

Ayushmann, Amy Recreate Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan's Song

Ayushmann, Amy Recreate Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan's Song
  The music video is shot by Pradeep Sarkar who rekindles his penchant for periodicity from "Parineeta" in a well-shot footage stretching into two lives.

Ayushmann, Amy Recreate Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan's Song