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

Remo D'Souza off on vacation after 15 years

  Remo's wife Lizelle has done the entire planning for the trip. The couple, with their two sons, will visit places like Phuket and Bangkok in Thailand.

Remo D'Souza off on vacation after 15 years

Shahid Kapoor Says Alia Bhatt Should Win A National Award For Udta Punjab

The film stars Shahid as a drug addicted rockstar Tommy Singh while Alia is seen as a Bihari migrant who is a hockey player.

Shahid Kapoor Says Alia Bhatt Should Win A National Award For Udta Punjab

Former Actor Mamta Kulkarni Involved In Drug Trade, Says Mumbai Police

Thane Police Commissioner Param Bir Singh said the statements of a couple arrested in the case and inputs received from the US Drug Enforcement Agency have confirmed Mamta Kulkarni was a prime accused in the case.

Former Actor Mamta Kulkarni Involved In Drug Trade, Says Mumbai Police

Shahid, Alia Happy, Relieved As 'Udta Punjab' Hits The Screens

Actors Shahid Kapoor and Alia Bhatt took a sigh of relief after "Udta Punjab" finally made its way to the theatres on Friday despite all the controversies, and were happy with the initial response to the film.

Shahid, Alia Happy, Relieved As 'Udta Punjab' Hits The Screens

Angelina Jolie's Six Kids Are Learning Seven Languages

Actress-filmmaker Angelina Jolie revealed that her children are learning different languages and interested in other cultures, reported Female First.

Angelina Jolie's Six Kids Are Learning Seven Languages

SRK Shares Cryptic Message About Next Film With Imtiaz Ali

SRK Shares Cryptic Message About Next Film With Imtiaz Ali
The film will mark the first collaboration between Ali and the "Chennai Express" star.

SRK Shares Cryptic Message About Next Film With Imtiaz Ali