New Delhi, Jan 29 (IANS): The wait to meet actor Ranbir Kapoor as daredevil Johnny Balraj in "Bombay Velvet" is over with the release of the film's first poster, Thursday.

The poster of the much awaited neo-noir drama introduces Ranbir's character, who is a boxer and street-fighter.

The poster reads: "HELLO! I AM JOHNNY BALRAJ. NICE TO MEET YOU."

Based on Gyan Prakash's book Mumbai Fables, the film explores Mumbai in the early 1950s and 1960s.

Actress Anushka Sharma, who plays Ranbir's love interest in the film, also welcomed the arrival of the poster.

"Welcome Johnny Balraj! Our first poster #BombayVelvet @foxstarhindi @FuhSePhantom," she tweeted.

Helmed by Anurag Kashyap, the film is jointly produced by Phantom Films and Fox Star India, and is set for a May 15 release.

The film's makers unveiled a teaser image of Ranbir Wednesday to build excitement around the movie's first poster. In the teaser, Ranbir is seen in soiled clothes with hands wrapped in bandages.

The film will also see filmmaker Karan Johar playing a negative role for the first time.