Why is cute and funny Sharman Joshi looking grim and scruffy these days?

The well-scrubbed chocolate boy of Hindi films is in no mood to garner laughs. Funnyman from 3 Idiots and Rang De Basanti, Sharman Joshi has undergone a makeover for his next project, Allah Ke Banday. The closely shorn hair, stubble and moustache match the muscular physique. Joshi plays Vijay, a slum dweller, in the film.

Based on true incidents, the film traces the the lives of two kids who hail from a slum, and get embroiled in criminal activities as they grow up. The muscular look has not come easy, Joshi admits. "I am a fit guy but for this film bahut kasrat ki maine. I worked out intensely before we started shooting," he says.

Since this one is a marked detour from his regular roles, it's proven to be a challenge. "Before Allah Ke Banday happened, I had been offered similar characters. But it's the script of this one that I found strong (written by Faruk Kabir, also director-actor of Allah Ke Banday)," he says.

So is this a conscious attempt to shed the nice guy image? "Whichever film I do, whether Golmaal, Metro or Allah Ke Banday, I do it based on the script and my character. I leave it to audience to decide how they want to perceive it. You can call me what you like."