Post-3 Idiots, Sharman Joshi has changed. And we aren't just talking about the new muscles and the swagger that this one-time serious actor has lately acquired.

Deeper change

Even Naseeruddin Shah who shared screen space with Joshi in Allah Ke Banday, has commented that the new beefed- up look ill-suits Sharman. But the change goes much deeper for this actor, who is being ill- advised by his new coterie of marketing whizkids.

Over ambitious

After the success of 3 Idiots and with well-planted announcements of Vidhu Vinod Chopra signing the young actor to play the lead in Ferrari Ki Sawari, Sharman only wants to play the conventional bonafide male lead.

So Allah Ke Banday, a meaningful film on juvenile delinquency has been caught in the vortex of Joshi's ambitions. The actor has made himself unavailable for the marketing and publicity of his film.

A source close to the film says, "Sharman was a different person when he shot AKB. He loved his part and he gave it his best shot. Now he feels it is not the kind of glossy high-budget set-up he wants to be associated with."

Faruk left alone

Director Faruk Kabir has made innumerable attempts to contact Sharman, but the actor just doesn't answer his calls. Now the poor director who also plays the other male lead in the film is left all alone to promote it.

Some people who have lately become close to Sharman are wrongly advising him on his career moves. He lost his place in the Golmaal franchise. If Sharman is aiming at doing only solo-hero films then he should be reminded of what happened to his last release Toh Baat Pakki " audience usko dekh kar pakee.

Doing what's best...

When contacted, Faruk was understandably reluctant to speak. He finally said, "I am sure he knows we've made an important film on juvenile crimes. I am sure he will do what is best for our film." Despite several attempts, Sharman remained unavailable for comment.