Sunday, June 28, 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

Alia Bhatt, Varun Dhawan To Reunite For 'Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhaniya' Sequel?

Alia Bhatt, Varun Dhawan To Reunite For 'Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhaniya' Sequel?
Alia Bhatt and Varun Dhawan may reunite for a sequel to the 2014 film "Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhaniya".

Alia Bhatt, Varun Dhawan To Reunite For 'Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhaniya' Sequel?

Watch: Soon-to-be Parents Shahid And Mira Rajput Holiday in Maldives

Watch: Soon-to-be Parents Shahid And Mira Rajput Holiday in Maldives
Shahid Kapoor and wife Mira Rajput, who are expecting their first child together, are busy holidaying in Maldives.

Watch: Soon-to-be Parents Shahid And Mira Rajput Holiday in Maldives

I Enjoy Doing Both Serious And Comic Roles: Akshay Kumar

I Enjoy Doing Both Serious And Comic Roles: Akshay Kumar
In 2015, actor Akshay Kumar juggled effortlessly between "Airlift" and "Singh Is Bliing". This year again he joyously juxtaposes the real-life saga "Rustom" with the crazily out of the world "Housefull 3".

I Enjoy Doing Both Serious And Comic Roles: Akshay Kumar

Salman Khan Finds Younger Generation Respectful

Superstar Salman Khan says that the younger generation nowadays has a lot of integrity and respect.

Salman Khan Finds Younger Generation Respectful

Parineeti Chopra Wants 'Spa-like' Personal Spaces At Her Abode

Parineeti Chopra Wants 'Spa-like' Personal Spaces At Her Abode
Actress Parineeti Chopra says she prefers to keep her “personal spaces very spa-like with a lot of wooden textures and mirrors”, which exude “soothing” vibes.

Parineeti Chopra Wants 'Spa-like' Personal Spaces At Her Abode

Sunny Leone Wants To Swim With Sharks

 would like to swim with the sharks. That’s on my bucket list. Real, gray sharks. I should be in a cage though so that it doesn’t end up eating me

Sunny Leone Wants To Swim With Sharks