Wednesday, June 24, 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

Will Big B, Govinda Appear in Bade Miyan Chote Miyan Remake?

Will Big B, Govinda Appear in Bade Miyan Chote Miyan Remake?
The 1998 film, directed by David Dhawan, featured Mr Bachchan, now 73, and Govinda in a double role.

Will Big B, Govinda Appear in Bade Miyan Chote Miyan Remake?

Case Filed In Up Courts Against Salman Khan's 'Rape' Remark

A case was registered in Kanpur and Lucknow courts on Thursday against Bollywood actor Salman Khan for his recent statement that "he felt like a raped woman" while shooting for his forthcoming flick "Sultan" slated to release on Eid next month.

Case Filed In Up Courts Against Salman Khan's 'Rape' Remark

Salman Rape Remark Controversy: Nawazuddin Says His Intentions Were Not Wrong

Salman had in an interview said that he felt like a "raped woman" coming out of his fights with wrestlers for his film "Sultan". 

Salman Rape Remark Controversy: Nawazuddin Says His Intentions Were Not Wrong

'Raman Raghav 2.0' makers hold special screening of film

'Raman Raghav 2.0' makers hold special screening of film
Numerous celebrities from the film industry attended a special screening of director Anurag Kashyap's thriller "Raman Raghav 2.0" here late on Wednesday.

'Raman Raghav 2.0' makers hold special screening of film

Sherlyn Chopra Turns Producer With Short Film

Sherlyn Chopra Turns Producer With Short Film
I'm working on a short film. It is based in Rajasthan. It's the story of a very poor girl who has big dreams. Whether or not she chases her dreams, forms the crux of the short film

Sherlyn Chopra Turns Producer With Short Film

Future Of Cinema Is Internet Movies, Says Kangana Ranaut

Actress Kangana Ranaut feels the future of cinema lies in making short films for the digital medium.

Future Of Cinema Is Internet Movies, Says Kangana Ranaut