Saturday, June 13, 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

Only An 'Idiot' Like Aamir Could Have Made Dangal, Says Vidhu Vinod Chopra

Only An 'Idiot' Like Aamir Could Have Made Dangal, Says Vidhu Vinod Chopra
Vidhu Vinod Chopra is impressed with the trailer of Aamir Khan's film "Dangal". The filmmaker says Aamir is excelling himself as an artiste in the forthcoming biographical sports drama.

Only An 'Idiot' Like Aamir Could Have Made Dangal, Says Vidhu Vinod Chopra

'A Flying Jatt' Sequel On Remo's Mind

'A Flying Jatt' Sequel On Remo's Mind
Ace choreographer-filmmaker Remo D'souza, who received mixed response for his last directorial venture "A Flying Jatt", says he would love to make a sequel to the superhero film.

'A Flying Jatt' Sequel On Remo's Mind

Akshay Kumar to star in Reema Kagti's 'Gold'

This will be the first time Akshay will be associating with Excel Entertainment and Kagti, read a statement.

Akshay Kumar to star in Reema Kagti's 'Gold'

Not Nationalism, But Bullying: Pooja Bhatt On Barring Pakistani Artistes

Actor-filmmaker Pooja Bhatt says the ongoing campaign against Pakistani artistes working in India cannot be described as nationalism, but "schoolyard bullying".

Not Nationalism, But Bullying: Pooja Bhatt On Barring Pakistani Artistes

Need Stronger Laws Against Animal Cruelty: Soha

Need Stronger Laws Against Animal Cruelty: Soha
I don't understand people who inflict cruelty on animals, who are voiceless, helpless, who are only giving you love

Need Stronger Laws Against Animal Cruelty: Soha

Arijit Singh Re-dubs For Song In 'Tum Bin 2'

Singer Arijit Singh has re-dubbed the "Ishq mubarak" song of forthcoming film "Tum Bin 2" and filmmaker Anubhav Sinha says it sounds "better than the first version".

Arijit Singh Re-dubs For Song In 'Tum Bin 2'