Saturday, June 27, 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

Amitabh Bachchan Lists Disadvantages Of Fame

Amitabh Bachchan Lists Disadvantages Of Fame
Just a day after getting embroiled in a tax evasion case, megastar Amitabh Bachchan pointed out how fame and success "has the capacity to garner hostility, revenge, envy jealousy and allied attributes”.

Amitabh Bachchan Lists Disadvantages Of Fame

Seem To Be Liking Being Bad Too Much: Priyanka Chopra

Seem To Be Liking Being Bad Too Much: Priyanka Chopra
Actress Priyanka Chopra, who is making her debut in international films with a negative role in "Baywatch", says she is liking "being bad".

Seem To Be Liking Being Bad Too Much: Priyanka Chopra

Sonam Kapoor to attend amfAR Gala in Cannes, honoured

Sonam Kapoor to attend amfAR Gala in Cannes, honoured
The actress, who is the brand ambassador of L’Oréal Paris, will represent the cosmetic giant at Cannes. 

Sonam Kapoor to attend amfAR Gala in Cannes, honoured

'Raman Raghav 2.0' To Compete At Sydney Film Festival

'Raman Raghav 2.0' To Compete At Sydney Film Festival
Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap's forthcoming thriller "Raman Raghav 2.0" will compete at the Sydney Film Festival 2016.

'Raman Raghav 2.0' To Compete At Sydney Film Festival

Parineeti Chopra Starts 'Meri Pyaari Bindu' Shoot

Actress Parineeti Chopra is happy she has begun to shoot for the upcoming film "Meri Pyaari Bindu" in the City of Joy.

Parineeti Chopra Starts 'Meri Pyaari Bindu' Shoot

I Started The Remix Culture: Filmmaker Mohit Suri

I Started The Remix Culture: Filmmaker Mohit Suri
"Tum hi ho", "Hamari adhuri kahani" or "Aye khuda", the music of his films always has a lot of heart and soul. But filmmaker Mohit Suri says that people tend to forget that he was the one who began the trend in the country of remixing current songs.

I Started The Remix Culture: Filmmaker Mohit Suri