Friday, June 19, 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

B-Town Stars Greet Fans On Janmashtami

B-Town Stars Greet Fans On Janmashtami
The birthday of Lord Krishna, better known as Janmashtami, is celebrated with great gusto across the country every year. 

B-Town Stars Greet Fans On Janmashtami

Bombay High Court quashes FIR against Sussanne Khan

The Goa bench of the Bombay High Court on Thursday quashed the FIR filed against Sussanne Khan, estranged wife of Bollywood superstar Hritik Roshan, in a cheating case, citing lack of evidence.

Bombay High Court quashes FIR against Sussanne Khan

Without Shah Rukh Khan, There Is No Dear Zindagi: Alia Bhatt

Without Shah Rukh Khan, There Is No Dear Zindagi: Alia Bhatt
Shah Rukh Khan is not playing a cameo or a guest appearance in Dear Zindagi. Alia Bhatt says SRK's role in the film is integral to it.

Without Shah Rukh Khan, There Is No Dear Zindagi: Alia Bhatt

Here's What Sonakshi Has to Say about Honesty in Politics

Sonakshi Sinha feels her politician-father Shatrughan Sinha is an honest man who has never held back his opinion.

Here's What Sonakshi Has to Say about Honesty in Politics

Shatrughan Sinha Lauds Sonakshi's Devotion To Work

Actor Shatrughan Sinha is proud of his daughter and actress Sonakshi Sinha for the devotion she shows towards her work.

Shatrughan Sinha Lauds Sonakshi's Devotion To Work

Will Not Be Bullied, Will Definitely Visit Pakistan To Talk Peace: Ramya

Will Not Be Bullied, Will Definitely Visit Pakistan To Talk Peace: Ramya
The actress says she won't apologise "come what may" and not allow herself to be "bullied into submission". The former Congress MP says she is in fact keen to go back to Pakistan to foster peace and engage in dialogue. 

Will Not Be Bullied, Will Definitely Visit Pakistan To Talk Peace: Ramya