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

Fatwa issued against Jimmy Sheirgill for 'Shorgul'

Fatwa issued against Jimmy Sheirgill for 'Shorgul'
A fatwa has been issued against actor Jimmy Sheirgill for starring in political drama “Shorgul”, which has also been banned in several cities of Uttar Pradesh, the film's makers said on Wednesday.

Fatwa issued against Jimmy Sheirgill for 'Shorgul'

Filmmakers Don't See Saif And Me As Onscreen Pair: Kareena

Filmmakers Don't See Saif And Me As Onscreen Pair: Kareena
They have starred together in films like "Tashan" and "Kurbaan". But actress Kareena Kapoor Khan feels filmmakers no longer see her and her actor husband Saif Ali Khan as an onscreen pair.

Filmmakers Don't See Saif And Me As Onscreen Pair: Kareena

Zareen Khan to miss IIFA for mother

Zareen Khan to miss IIFA for mother
Actress Zareen Khan will miss the 17th edition of the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) award as her mother Praveen Khan is unwell.

Zareen Khan to miss IIFA for mother

Once Again: Emraan Hashmi to Work With Ajay Devgn in Baadshaho

Actors Ajay Devgn and Emraan Hashmi will co-star in Milan Luthria's historical fiction Baadshaho.

Once Again: Emraan Hashmi to Work With Ajay Devgn in Baadshaho

The Time Madhavan Had to 'Convince People' That He Can be 'Rude'

The Time Madhavan Had to 'Convince People' That He Can be 'Rude'
Saala Khadoos, directed by Sudha Kongara Prasad, cast Madhavan as a boxing coach and also featured newcomer Ritika Singh.

The Time Madhavan Had to 'Convince People' That He Can be 'Rude'

Always aim to get thumbs up from fans: Hrithik Roshan

Actor Hrithik Roshan, whose "Mohenjo Daro" trailer has been lauded for its scale, is happy about getting a positive feedback for it from his fans.

Always aim to get thumbs up from fans: Hrithik Roshan