Bollywood film Toilet: Ek Prem Katha, which attempts to spread the message of eradicating open defecation, surpassed the Rs1 billion (Dh57.28 million) mark on the eighth day since its release in India, its makers said on Saturday.
Directed by Shree Narayan Singh, the film features Akshay Kumar, Bhumi Pednekar and Anupam Kher in key roles.
“Day 8: Akshay Kumar’s Toilet: Ek Prem Katha crosses [Rs1 billion],” said a statement issued on behalf of the film’s makers.
The movie, which hit the screens on August 11 in India, made Rs10.005 billion until Friday.
Its success has — in Kumar’s wife Twinkle Khanna’s words — helped the box office to break free from constipation after big ticket films such as Jagga Jasoos and Jab Harry Met Sejal failed to elicit the expected response at the box office.
Pednekar, who plays the role of a woman who demands a toilet in her husband’s house, is ecstatic.
“Today is a special day and I really want to thank our audiences that laughed and cried with us, believed in us and gave us love. Shree sir, thank you for choosing me to be your Jaya and making this film. You truly are amazing,” she tweeted.
Toilet: Ek Prem Katha also takes forward Kumar’s golden run at the box office after his films Airlift, Housefull 3, Rustom and Jolly LLB 2, did well at the box office.
According to trade analyst Taran Adarsh, “Toilet: Ek Prem Katha is Akshay Kumar’s eighth Rs1 billion grosser... The second highest after Salman Khan [who has 11 Rs1 billion grossers].”
Meanwhile, Khanna posted a beach selfie on her Instagram and in the backdrop is a man relieving himself. The accompanying caption read: “Good morning and I guess here is the first scene of Toilet: Ek Prem Katha Part 2. #WhenYourWalkGoesDownTheToilet.”
