Rami Malek and I aggressively starved ourselves for 'Papillon': Charlie Hunnam

Actor Charlie Hunnam says he and co-star Rami Malek went full method for their roles in the upcoming film Papillon.

The film is based on an autobiographical novel written by Henri Charriere and chronicles his incessant attempts to escape from an infamous penal colony on Devil's Island in French Guiana, South America.

Hunnam, 38, who plays the title character in the Michael Noer-directed film, says he and Malek bonded over hunger pangs.

"Rami and I aggressively starved ourselves, which is the type of thing that will make two men become brothers very quickly," Hunnam said in a statement.

"To be hungry all the time, and to deny the primal instinct to feed yourself, is no easy trick. Not drinking water was hard. All I had was two small bottles over the course of five days without food. It got a little crazy, and it was definitely very emotional. I found myself crying once or twice when everyone left work and I was there alone," he added.

Malek, 37, plays convicted counterfeiter Louis Dega in the MVP Entertainment's film which hits the theatres in India on Friday.