EXCLUSIVE: I don't want to do any kind of publicity, asserts superstar Akshay Kumar

Mumbai: A self-professed nationalist, Akshay Kumar does not fit into your idea of a typical superstar- neither obnoxious nor self-centered.

Weeps at the loss of lives of soldiers at Indian borders and nurses their families’ shattered spirit, Akshay has the heart of a whale. He has not only lent his support to multiple causes, but has also provided bereaved families with financial aid.

So when you see him urging people not to compromise with sanitation, don’t confuse it for a publicity stunt. In a tell-all interview with Deccan Chronicle, Akshay insists that he is eyeing on bringing about some major social changes in India, revealed the reason behind accepting ‘Toilet’ and asserted that he cares a damn about publicity. Excerpts:

What made you sign Toilet Ek Prem Katha?

I liked the subject of this film. In the meantime, I got to know that this script is flowing in the industry for the longest time. I feel it is a risky subject for any actor. I find it very intriguing. I liked the fact that it was a real story where a woman filed a divorce since there was no toilet at her husband’s home.

 

Do you feel that your film will help Salman Khan’s open defecation drive?

I don’t about this but it will surely reach a larger audience. I am sure that there will be change since till date 54% of Indians have no toilets. Even if it becomes 5% less in our country after watching my film, I will be successful enough. I am not bothered about the collections of the film. I would also love if my producers make the tickets prices less than what it is usually.

What all changes you have seen in terms of sanitation after this film was announced?

I have seen people openly started talking about toilet, Sandaas or Shauch. I heard people saying the dialogues from the trailer. It was a very taboo thing for people to say but I felt it is a must to say and talk about it. Who doesn’t go to toilet then why people feel are ashamed off. Believe me things are changing. The youth is very strong and come up with great ideas. It is about the mindsets which have been the same since long so it will take time to change it. Once I caught a man defecating on the beach and asked him why he is doing it in open? He replied to me that he likes to do it in open. This may sound funny to us but imagine he must have effected many mindsets and spread diseases. I must tell you that for a city like Mumbai, it is a much bigger problem.

Is it a conscious decision to do more real of life stories like ‘Rustom’, ‘Airlift’ and now ‘Toilet’?

I find them intriguing actually. When I meet these real people, it is good to hear their stories. When I met that woman who has revolted for not having a toilet, I felt this story should come to the people.

Like your film ‘Toilet’, you are also a part of your wife Twinkle’s social film ‘Padman’, are you trying to bring about change in the area of female hygiene, too?

I want to bring a change with the help of media and government. I request the entire media fraternity to not about the film rather talk about the sanitation issue in our country. What a woman has to go through? I have come across many women who requested me to build a toilet in their houses. I need to clear that my film 'Toliet- Ek Prem Katha' is not a documentary but a two and half hours comedy but I am taking an advantage of being an actor to take this issue to the audience. Government is doing whatever they can do but people build their house in place of toilets, they give them on rents and so on. This is sad.

People say that you talk about social issues only before your films’ releases?

If you pointing out about sanitation issue then I didn’t speak earlier since I didn’t know about it. I know about Indian Army so I talk about it. I made ‘Bharat Ke Veer’. I talk about self defence and women’s safety on which I am not making a film. I taught 10, 000 women about self defence. I don’t want to do any kind of publicity.