Wednesday, June 17, 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

Mahima Chaudhary Opens Up About How Leander Paes Cheated On Her

Mahima Chaudhary Opens Up About How Leander Paes Cheated On Her
Before getting hitched, Mahima was in a long relationship with tennis ace, Leander Paes, but it ended on a bitter note. She doesn't mince words while talking about the sports star.

Mahima Chaudhary Opens Up About How Leander Paes Cheated On Her

Pakistani Minister Demands Apology From ‘Mohenjo Daro' Filmmakers

Pakistani Minister Demands Apology From ‘Mohenjo Daro' Filmmakers
The minister seems to have taken offence at the movie, which was yet unknown to sections of media. 

Pakistani Minister Demands Apology From ‘Mohenjo Daro' Filmmakers

'Mary Kom' Much More That A Movie: Priyanka

'Mary Kom' Much More That A Movie: Priyanka
Priyanka Chopra-starrer "Mary Kom" has completed two years of its release, and the actress says the film was so much more than a movie for her.

'Mary Kom' Much More That A Movie: Priyanka

Katrina is a bundle of energy: Taaha Shah

Actor Taaha Shah is all praise for his "Baar Baar Dekho" co-star Katrina Kaif.

Katrina is a bundle of energy: Taaha Shah

Soha, Radhika Unite To Reclaim 'Like A Girl' Phrase

Actresses Soha Ali Khan and Radhika Apte have extended their support to a campaign by Whisper India, a sanitary napkin brand, that focuses on removing negative connotations from the phrase 'Like A Girl'.

Soha, Radhika Unite To Reclaim 'Like A Girl' Phrase

Haryanvi-style surprise for Sophie Choudry

Haryanvi-style surprise for Sophie Choudry
Singer-actress Sophie Choudry, who is getting appreciation for her latest single "Sajan main nachungi", got a surprise on social media when a group of Haryanvi women performed to the song.

Haryanvi-style surprise for Sophie Choudry