Adarsh Gourav: Immersing in Underground Rap Helped Me Capture Maruti’s Grit
Actor immersed himself in the city’s indie hip-hop spaces to bring authenticity and emotional depth to his role.
Mumbai, Feb 09 : BAFTA nominated actor Adarsh Gourav immersed himself in Mumbai’s underground rap culture while preparing for his role in Tu Yaa Main, where he portrays Maruti, a street rapper from Nalasopara. The actor believed that understanding the environment that shapes independent musicians was essential to portraying the character convincingly.
Instead of limiting his preparation to the script, Gourav engaged directly with the city’s indie hip-hop community. He spent time with artists across Govandi, Nalasopara, Kurla, Dharavi, and Andheri, observing their routines, participating in jam sessions, and listening to their personal journeys.
Gourav explained that the character could not be developed in isolation, noting that Maruti’s voice, mannerisms, and emotional restraint are rooted in the realities of his upbringing. Being present in those neighbourhoods, he said, allowed him to grasp the emotional intensity behind the music.
The actor emphasised that his interactions often moved beyond discussions about rhythm and lyrics. Conversations revolved around ambition, invisibility, and music as a tool for self-expression and identity elements that significantly influenced his performance.
Reflecting on the experience, Gourav described the underground rap scene as driven by lived truth rather than performance. Capturing that authenticity, he said, was crucial to ensuring Maruti felt organic to the world he represents.
Directed by Bejoy Nambiar, Tu Yaa Main is backed by Aanand L Rai and Himanshu Sharma under Colour Yellow, alongside Vinod Bhanushali and Kamlesh Bhanushali of Bhanushali Studios Limited. Positioned within today’s creator-led culture, the film explores themes of love and survival and is scheduled for release on February 13, 2026.
Gourav, who started as a child actor and appeared in films such as My Name Is Khan, rose to international prominence with The White Tiger, earning a Golden Globe nomination. He has since built a reputation for nuanced performances, including roles in Made in Heaven and the global series Extrapolations.
