Bollywood superstar Sanjay Dutt says he is focusing on getting back into shape for his next movie following his release on bail after being sentenced to six years for possessing illegal weapons.
"I have to do regular exercise and get back in proper shape and look like a hero. There's lot of work to do and I hope to be in shape soon," Dutt told AFP as he returned to work late last week.
Earlier this week Dutt had stated in an interview that he has hired Hollywood trainer, Mark Twight, to help him get eight-pack abs. Mark Twight is the man who had trained the cast of the war epic 300.
The 48-year-old actor -- known as "Deadly Dutt" for his macho image and portrayal of gangsters -- was released on bail in November, pending an appeal of his conviction to India's Supreme Court.
The star can remain out of jail until the outcome of his appeal to the Supreme Court, his lawyer Karan Singh told AFP. No date has been set for the appeal hearing, leaving Dutt free to pursue his star-studded career.
"I have many pending projects and I want to complete them first.
In his newest film, EMI, which stands for Easy Monthly Installment, Dutt plays a loan recovery agent -- often dreaded in India for their violent tactics.
"I'm not playing a villain but a loveable recovery agent," Dutt insisted.
Dutt, who has served a total of 551 days behind bars since his initial arrest in April 1993, said he had signed up for at least five Bollywood films before his latest stint in jail.
A "learning experience," was how he described his time in prison.
"One has to face that challenge and cannot run away from it. I will say: 'Face the problem and learn from it'," Dutt said.
"You learn more and more from every problem of life and eventually you come out of it and get peace of mind."
