Filmmaker Sanjay Gupta launched author Hussain Zaidi's book "Dongri to Dubai" and revealed that his forthcoming film "Shootout at Wadala" wouldn't have been possible had it not been for the book.

"We are very happy as we had been waiting for a long time for the book to release. People will read the book and hopefully, after reading it, they'll be even more inclined to watch the film. Like I said, if the book had not happened, 'Shootout at Wadala' wouldn't have happened," Sanjay told reporters at the book launch here Thursday.

John Abraham, who plays gangster Manya Surve in "Shootout at Wadala", was also at the book launch.

Talking about the influence the book has had on the film, John said: "It's a very proud moment for us because we have adapted a lot of things from this book and my character of Manya Surve is from this book, Anil Kapoor's character of Isaque Bagwan is also in this book. So I think it's a very proud moment for us."

When quizzed about his favourite actor in a police uniform, John said: "Right now I'll name Anil Kapoor because in 'Shootout...' Isaque Bagwan's character, who is a policeman, is played by Anil Kapoor. I have seen the rushes and I think he is outstanding.

The actor John had won accolades for his role of a police officer in "Force".

"Shootout at Wadala" talks of the first-ever encounter registered by the Mumbai police in the early 1980s. The film is expected to hit theatres early 2013.