Kolkata, Sep 26 (IANS) A lot of hard work is needed to keep the body fit, says Bollywood actor John Abraham said Monday.

"Making a strong body is like a religion. When you preach a religion you go to a temple. I go to a gym and workout. I really worked out hard to make a strong body. I had put on 10 kilo muscles in eight months," Abraham told a media conference on his upcoming film "Force".

John has sported a muscular look in 'Force' where he plays a role of a no-nonsense cop who does not play by the book but always ensures that justice is served.

Vivacious Genelia D' Souza will be seen opposite John in this film, directed by Nishikant Kamat.

"I thank Nishikant for giving me eight months to make such a strong body. He wanted me to look really tough. I want to tell youngsters that there is no shortcut for a muscular body. I was on a high protein diet," he said.

"But at the end of the day it is the performance that counts, not the body. It is an audio visual medium, so you have to sport certain kind of look."

Asked about the current trend of action films, John said that 'Force' was the only movie after Sunny Deol starrer 'Ghayal' and 'Gadar' that can boast of raw and real action.

"It's good that people are loving action movies but if you ask me about 'Force' then it is raw and real action. I just feel that after 'Ghayal' and 'Gadar' this is the only movie where you can boast of real action."