Akshay Kumar’s 2017 blockbuster “Toilet: Ek Prem Katha” not only had nationwide audiences entertained but also sparked conversations about a pressing issue, making a profound societal impact. The film shattered records, earning over Rs 316.97 crore worldwide, despite being made on a modest budget of Rs 18 crore. For Akshay Kumar, it marked another milestone in his illustrious career, cementing his status as a champion of social causes on celluloid.
Directed by Shree Narayan Singh and co-produced by Akshay Kumar and Neeraj Pandey, “Toilet: Ek Prem Katha” is set against the backdrop of rural India, and sheds light on the country’s sanitation crisis, deeply rooted in cultural and religious sentiments. However, what’s intriguing about this cinematic gem is its journey to the silver screen. Despite its eventual success, “Toilet: Ek Prem Katha” faced significant hurdles initially. The script floated in the industry for a staggering four years, facing rejection from several Bollywood heavyweights. Yet, fate had something different in store.
Enter Akshay Kumar, known for his penchant for portraying socially relevant roles. On hearing the script, the superstar embraced the project wholeheartedly, becoming its driving force. His commitment to the narrative, coupled with the film’s impactful message, had audiences rushing to theatres and critics raving.
Amidst a dry spell at the box office that saw back to back flops, the film emerged as a reason for celebration in the industry and even tech mogul Bill Gates hailed it as one of the best things he saw in 2017, recognizing its power to inspire change.
After bringing to life the story of an unsung Indian hero on the silver screen with “Toilet: Ek Prem Katha”, Akshay Kumar now marches forward with his next venture, “Sarfira,” slated to hit theatres this July. The superstar portrays a captain turned entrepreneur in the film set against the backdrop of startups and aviation and continues his legacy of inspiring audiences to dream big and effect positive change in society.
