HOLLYWOOD BOLLYWOOD TELEVISION IT’S TABOO TO TALK ABOUT TOILETS: AKKI

Akshay says that open defecation is a serious problem; people die regularly because of this

Actor Akshay Kumar, (right) is all set for the release of his movie, Toilet: Ek Prem Katha, which stresses on the importance of building toilets and ending open defecation. He hopes that the film changes people’s mindset about this subject in Indian society.

“Talks about toilets are still taboo in India,” he says. “I remember when I had to say a dialogue in the film which is, ‘Ab biwi ghar aaye na aye, sundaas to laakar hi chhodunga is gaon mein’, people were wondering if I should say it or not. But as an individual, I think it is necessary. I mean who does not go to the toilet?”he adds.

However, he says that things are slowly changing. “Our youth is very-strong minded. They understand the necessity of using the toilet. People are now talking about it, which is great. It means that there is a growing awareness. It is also about the mindset. In some places where I have visited, I heard people saying, ‘We don’t do it (defecate) in the same house where we cook food,” he says. “But how can they openly defecate on the field, from where the food comes?” he adds.

This isn’t the first time that Akshay has chosen a film which projects realism, and is based on the theme of social issues. He has also done films such as Airlift (2016), and Jolly LLB 2, this year. Asked if that is a new strategy, the National Award-winning actor says, “If you are talking about issue-based stories like Toilet, I think being a successful actor by the grace of God, if my association gives the film a better mileage and if the story intrigued me, I do it.” He also adds that he looked up research statistics and found that one child dies every minute due to open defecation. The intensity of the issue worries him.