John has lost weight for Aashayein

Bollywood star John Abraham has lost weight to play the part of a compulsive gambler who falls sick after striking it rich.

John told a newspaper that he needed to portray a feeble-looking man in the movie titled Aashayein, which is being shot in Pondicherry and is directed by Nagesh Kukunoor.

''Yes, it is true that I have lost a lot of weight for the film,'' John said. '' I did it to match the brief I was given.''

Producer Preet Bedi said a gym had been set up next door to John's hotel room so he could stay fit.

Also see: Nagesh Kukunoor signs John