John Abraham inspires Aashayein crew to l

"John has set up a gymnasium on the sets so that he can keep cutting down the kilos even while he shoots for my film," informs Kukunoor. He adds, "He walks the treadmill most of the time so that he can lose weight fast. He does not do any weight-lifts because he needs to look thin and lanky. John is a hard working actor and I am having a wonderful time moulding him into the character that I have visualized."

"John's weight loss programme has inspired other unit members too on the sets to lose weight. All those on the sets, who were having difficulties losing their extra pounds, despite making efforts like going to the gym and joining various other weight loss programmes, have actually started losing weight here in Pondicherry. It is all thanks to John. It seems like John has become their fitness trainer." laughs Kukunoor.

"A large portion of the film has already been shot," the Iqbal director tells us but refuses to divulge any details about John's character or his film. He says, "My film is all about hope. It is hope that keeps a man alive. It is hope that creates wonders for him. And he continues to hope for good till his last breath."

But our industry source reveals to us that, "Aashayein tells the story of a compulsive gambler played by John who gambles his money and time away until one day he realizes that he has little time left to live though he has hit a jackpot."