Tuesday, June 23, 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

Shah Rukh Khan Reveals Why He Got Daughter Suhana’s Bikini Pic Removed From Media Sites

Shah Rukh Khan Reveals Why He Got Daughter Suhana’s Bikini Pic Removed From Media Sites
She was in a bikini, she was on a beach, and she was with her little brother. You went ahead and wrote a headline, “SRK’s daughter flaunts her body.” Is it a little cheap?

Shah Rukh Khan Reveals Why He Got Daughter Suhana’s Bikini Pic Removed From Media Sites

Kareena Kapoor Khan is pregnant, Confirms Husband Saif Ali Khan

Kareena Kapoor Khan is pregnant, Confirms Husband Saif Ali Khan
After months of speculations and denial, Kareena and Saif have finally gone official with the big news. 

Kareena Kapoor Khan is pregnant, Confirms Husband Saif Ali Khan

Irrfan Khan Says 'Clerics Don't Scare Me', Amid Row Over Ramzan's 'Qurbani' Comments

"Clerics don't scare me. Thank God I don't live in a country governed by religious contractors," he tweeted.

Irrfan Khan Says 'Clerics Don't Scare Me', Amid Row Over Ramzan's 'Qurbani' Comments

I have never dated, says Priyanka Chopra

Bollywood actress Priyanka Chopra, who gained international fame through the American thriller TV series "Quantico", says she has "never dated

I have never dated, says Priyanka Chopra

Shah Rukh, Salman Enjoy Bike Ride Together

Shah Rukh, Salman Enjoy Bike Ride Together
Shah Rukh took to Twitter to share the photograph of their 'bhai' moment with his fans and followers. 

Shah Rukh, Salman Enjoy Bike Ride Together

Priyanka Chopra Was Asked if She and Deepika Padukone Are Still Friends

Priyanka Chopra Was Asked if She and Deepika Padukone Are Still Friends
Priyanka Chopra said that there is no change in her equation with Deepika Padukone contrary to reports that all is not well between the Bajirao Mastani co-stars.

Priyanka Chopra Was Asked if She and Deepika Padukone Are Still Friends