Manohar Arjun Surve,  better known as Manya Surve, went down in the country's history books as an infamous gangster in the Mumbai underworld, who died in 1982, in the city's first recorded encounter killing.

On his birth anniversary, Surve rises again as Balaji Motion Pictures Ltd. announced the prequel to the production's runaway hit 'Shootout at Lokhandwala'. Directed by Sanjay Gupta, the gangster entertainer-'Shootout at Wadala', stars John Abraham as he essays the role of the notorious gangster.

Audiences were already treated to John's look in the film, that has become a cynosure of all eyes. But very few know that the man behind the makeover was none other than Baba Baboish, Manya Surve's personal tailor who helped shaped the star's look in the film.

Confirms director Sanjay Gupta, "Baba still has his shop at Shivaji Park and Mahesh Manjrekar who is a common friend introduced us. His inputs went a long way in giving John the look that he has in the film. I told John that he would have to wear Kolhapuri chappals, have a tika on his forehead and even put oil in his hair."

Already touted as his career's finest performance, John Abraham went all out to get under the skin of his character and transform into the deadly Manya Surve.

The actor says, "My reference point was a passport picture we managed to get and I also visited the places he used to frequent. I have put in all kinds of efforts to study this character, to work on the way he looked and behaved".

"It has been 10 years in the industry for me but it feels like this is my re-launch. I am excited like never before," John further added.

Produced by Balaji Motion Pictures & White Feather Films, 'Shootout at Wadala', based on a true shocking story, is Bollywood's first official prequel. Directed by Sanjay Gupta, the action-drama stars Anil Kapoor, John Abraham, Kangna Ranaut, Manoj Bajpai, Tusshar Kapoor, Sonu Sood, Mahesh Manjrekar, Ronit Roy, Siddhant Kapoor and many more. It releases worldwide on May 1, 2013.