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

Manoj Bajpayee To Turn Traffic Cop For A Day

Manoj Bajpayee To Turn Traffic Cop For A Day
The actor worked hard to get into the skin of the character. He paid special attention to understanding how traffic cops communicate and closely observed their body language as well.

Manoj Bajpayee To Turn Traffic Cop For A Day

Randeep Hooda Chained Himself For 'Sarbjit'

"Sarbjit" is based on the life of Sarabjit Singh, an Indian farmer who was convicted of charges of terrorism and spying in Pakistan and was sentenced to death. 

Randeep Hooda Chained Himself For 'Sarbjit'

Jacqueline Fernandez Keeps Mystery Alive On Her Relationship Status

Jacqueline Fernandez Keeps Mystery Alive On Her Relationship Status
There have been reports that actress Jacqueline Fernandez has reunited with her ex-boyfriend Sheikh Hassan bin Rashid al Khalifa and the actress avoided clearing the rumour at an event here.

Jacqueline Fernandez Keeps Mystery Alive On Her Relationship Status

Pakistani Actors Adnan Siddiqui And Sajal Ali To Debut In Bollywood Film

Pakistani Actors Adnan Siddiqui And Sajal Ali To Debut In Bollywood Film
Pakistani drama actors Adnan Siddiqui and Sajal Ali are going to debut in Bollywood alongside veteran Indian actress Sridevi in movie "Mom", a daily reported on Tuesday.

Pakistani Actors Adnan Siddiqui And Sajal Ali To Debut In Bollywood Film

National Award A Pat On The Back: Sanjay Leela Bhansali

He also shared that the National Award is an acknowledgement from the government for the work done.

National Award A Pat On The Back: Sanjay Leela Bhansali

Hrithik And I Will Never Reconcile: Sussanne Khan

Hrithik And I Will Never Reconcile: Sussanne Khan
Sussanne Khan has shot down speculation that she is getting back with her ex-husband Hrithik Roshan, saying they will never reconcile.

Hrithik And I Will Never Reconcile: Sussanne Khan