Matthew Mcconaughey to shed 30 pounds to play HIV victim

Washington, July 20 (ANI): Matthew Mcconaughey has been asked to lose weight to play a gaunt HIV victim in the upcoming movie 'The Dallas Buyers Club'.

The actor will portray real-life American cowboy Ron Woodruff, who smuggles life-saving drugs across the Mexican border after contracting the disease during the 1980s.

MCConaughey, who recently beefed up to play a fit male stripper in Magic Mike, has been forced to slim down for the part, before the shooting begins in September.

"I'm losing some weight. I've got a role coming up in the middle of September. I've lost about 15 pounds, I've gotta lose about 15 more. I should not look healthy by the time I'm doing (filming) this," ontactmusic quoted him as telling new 'Ora TV web' series,

The 42-year-old, who still has a long way to go, admitted that the strict diet has already taken a toll on his health

"It's a bit of a spiritual cleanse, mental cleanse. (I'm) drinking a lot of tea. It takes a while for your body to understand that it has to feed off of itself and that you're not going to give it something else from the outside," he added. (ANI)