Monday, June 22, 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

I'm Still Middle Class: John Abraham

I'm Still Middle Class: John Abraham
He may be a Bollywood star with a huge fan following, but actor John Abraham says he is still rooted to his middle class values.

I'm Still Middle Class: John Abraham

People Can't Achieve In Three Lifetimes What Sania Did At 29: Salman Khan

People Can't Achieve In Three Lifetimes What Sania Did At 29: Salman Khan
People don't achieve even in three lifetimes what Sania Mirza has achieved at 29, said Salman Khan at the launch of tennis player's autobiography "Ace Against Odds" here on Sunday.

People Can't Achieve In Three Lifetimes What Sania Did At 29: Salman Khan

Want To Star Opposite Varun Dhawan: India's 'So You Think...' Winner Alisha Behura

Want To Star Opposite Varun Dhawan: India's 'So You Think...' Winner Alisha Behura
Chhattisgarh-based Alisha Behura, who has won the first edition of dance reality show “So You Think You Can Dance 'Ab India ki Baari'", says she would love to venture into the acting field. She also wants to star opposite actor Varun Dhawan in a film.

Want To Star Opposite Varun Dhawan: India's 'So You Think...' Winner Alisha Behura

I'm Not A Thief: Tiger On 'Munna Michael' Controversy

Actor Tiger Shroff has reacted to the latest controversy about his next film "Munna Michael". He said that he is not a thief or cheater.

I'm Not A Thief: Tiger On 'Munna Michael' Controversy

People Misuse Freedom Of Expression On Internet: Salman Khan

People Misuse Freedom Of Expression On Internet: Salman Khan
Superstar Salman Khan says social media users forget to act "responsibly" while expressing their views on the internet as they get carried away thinking that “no one will find out” about it.

People Misuse Freedom Of Expression On Internet: Salman Khan

Tough For Classical Dancers To Adapt To Other Dance Forms: Madhuri Dixit

Tough For Classical Dancers To Adapt To Other Dance Forms: Madhuri Dixit
Dancing diva Madhuri Dixit-Nene, often known as the 'Dhak Dhak' girl, says there were times when she would not get the steps right for a Bollywood dance number, sending her ego plummeting.

Tough For Classical Dancers To Adapt To Other Dance Forms: Madhuri Dixit