Mumbai: Akshay Kumar, during a press conference of his upcoming film ‘Kesari Chapter 2’, opened up about veteran actress Jaya Bachchan’s ‘flop’ remark about his film ‘Toilet Ek Prem Katha.’
Answering a question on his association with social and political films, the actor said he hasn’t done anything wrong by making such films.
When asked if it hurts when his film gets criticised by someone within the industry, Akshay said, “Mujhe nahin lagta kisi ne criticise kiya hai un filmon ko. Koi bewakoof hi hoga jo aise films ko criticise karega. Aap khud dekh lijiye, maine Pad Man banayi, maine Airlift ki, Toilet Ek Prem Katha, Airlift hai, Kesari, and now Kesari Chapter 2… bahut sari aisi films banai hain. Maine bahut dil se banayi hai. Aur koi film agar logon ko kuchh sikhati hai, koi cheez samjhati hai, toh I don’t think kisine usse criticise kiya hai (I don’t think anyone has criticised these films. Only a fool would criticise such films. You see for yourself, I’ve made Pad Man, Airlift, Toilet Ek Prem Katha, Airlift, Kesari, and now Kesari Chapter 2… There are many such films. I’ve made them with a lot of heart. And if a film teaches people something or makes them understand something, I don’t think anyone would criticise it).”
When a mediaperson pointed out that Jaya didn’t like the mention of ‘toilet’ in the film’s title, Akshay said, “Agar unhone kaha hai, toh sahi hoga. Mujhe nahi pata Agar Toilet Ek Prem Katha jaise film banakar maine koi galat kaam kiya hai, toh wah keh rahi hain, wah sahi hoga (If she has said that, then it must be true. I don’t know if making a film like Toilet Ek Prem Katha was a wrong thing to do, but if she’s saying it, then it must be right)”.
Jaya recently expressed her disappointment over the title of Akshay’s 2017 film ‘Toilet: Ek Prem Katha’, and called it a “flop film” during a conclave.
“Look at the name of the film; I would never go to watch such movies. Toilet: Ek Prem Katha—is this even a name? Is it a good title? Please tell me, how many of you would watch a film with such a title?” Jaya had said.
Directed by Shree Narayan Singh, the film highlighted the importance of sanitation in remote areas, and eradication of open defecation.
The film, which also starred Bhumi Pednekar in the lead role, received a positive response from critics and audiences and minted around ₹316.97 crore.
