Wife loved Christian Bale's overweight avatar in 'American Hustle'

Actor Christian Bale, who gained 19.5 kg for his crime comedy drama "American Hustle", says his wife was happy with his weight gain.

The 39-year-old admits that it was not just his wife of 13 years, but even his daughter was pleased to see him gain some weight.

"She (Sibi Blazic) liked it because she looked tiny next to me. She loved it. She wanted me to stay that way. My daughter loved it as well. She could smack my belly, she could smack my head, so they actually really enjoyed it," Bale said in a statement.

"American Hustle" is the story of a con man Irving Rosenfeld, essayed by Bale, who along with his equally cunning and seductive partner Sydney Prosser (Amy Adams) is forced to work for a wild FBI agent Richie DiMaso (Bradley Cooper).

"American Hustle" will release in India Jan 17.