After playing a negative character in `Dabangg`, actor Sonu Sood is gearing up to essay the role of Dawood Ibrahim in `Shootout at Wadala`. In Sanjay Gupta`s next, Sonu essays the role of the underworld don. Earlier, Vivek Oberoi was signed for the role but he had a fallout with Sanjay. "I am playing the role of Dawood Ibrahim and I am very much excited about this. We start shooting in March," Sonu told reporters. In the film, John Abraham plays the role of gangster Manya Surve, while Anil Kapoor plays ACP Isaque Bagwan.

Characters inspired by Dawood Ibrahim has always been a Bollywood favourite as in the past it has been essayed by actors like Ajay Devgn in `Company`, Randeep Hooda in `D`, Vijay Maurya in `Black Friday` and others. But Sonu says he would not leave any stone unturned to play this iconic character.

"Before I start shooting I would do all the necessary homework on Dawood Ibrahim. I have started collecting books and other necessary materials on him, also I intend to meet all those people who have known him or spent time with him," Sonu said. Directed by Sanjay, the movie is a sequel to 2007 film `Shootout at Lokhandwala`. The ensemble cast of the second installment of the film also includes Kangna Ranaut, Tusshar Kapoor and Ronit Roy. The film will dramatise the first registered encounter by Mumbai police, where gangster Surve was shot dead in 1982 in Wadala. It goes on floors in March and will release in December this year.