Bollywood superstar Akshay Kumar reacted to Jaya Bachchan’s criticism over his film title ‘Toilet: Ek Prem Katha’. He said, “If she has said so, she is right. If I had made a mistake by making such a film, she might be right.” Akshay’s remark came during the press meet of ‘Kesari: Chapter 2’ in Mumbai.
Veteran actor and Rajya Sabha MP Jaya Bachchan recently sparked debate after criticizing the title of the 2017 film ‘Toilet: Ek Prem Katha’. Speaking at the India TV She Conclave, she questioned the sensibility behind naming a film after a toilet.
What did Jaya Bachchan say?
Jaya Bachchan expressed her disappointment with the title of film Toilet: Ek Prem Katha, calling it a “flop film”. Jaya said, “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?” When she asked the audience if they would watch the film, only a few raised their hands. She immediately responded, “The film is a flop.”
Akshay Kumar’s Calm and Respectful Response
Responding to it, 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.”
Which translated to: “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).”
Director and Film’s Performance
The movie ‘Toilet: Ek Prem Katha’ is directed by Shree Narayan Singh. The film was inspired by real-life events and aimed to promote sanitation and discourage open defecation. The movie breaks many taboos which are especially practised in rural India. The story centers around a woman who leaves her husband’s home due to the absence of a toilet at his home.
The film aligned perfectly with the “Har Ghar Shauchalaya” initiative of the government. The film was widely praised for its bold subject and relevance to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Swachh Bharat Abhiyan. The film grossed over ₹316.97 crore globally and even received praise from international figures. The movie raises awareness on hygiene, women’s dignity and sanitation in rural areas.
Despite Jaya Bachchan’s reservations, Toilet: Ek Prem Katha remains a landmark film in Akshay Kumar’s career and the Bollywood’s history. The film is celebrated for its social message and box office success.
