The actor meets real-life hip-hop pioneers, explores Nalasopara, and even gets a facial piercing to bring authenticity to his role as a local rapper.
Adarsh Gourav’s Intense Preparation for Tu Yaa Main
Adarsh Gourav is widely known for his method-driven performances. This time, however, he has pushed his preparation even further for his upcoming film Tu Yaa Main. The actor essays the role of Maruti, a rapper from Nalasopara, and importantly, chose to look beyond the script to understand the character’s lived reality.
Therefore, to capture Maruti’s world with honesty, Gourav immersed himself in Mumbai’s underground hip-hop culture, spending weeks with artists who have shaped the city’s independent rap movement.
Discovering Mumbai’s Hip-Hop Heartland
As part of this journey, Gourav travelled extensively across Govandi, Nalasopara, Kurla, Dharavi, and Andheri. During this time, he met and interacted with underground rap pioneers such as Vijay Dada, Gravity, Shakespeare, Neazy, Akku, 7 Bantai, Ace, Kinga, Ninja, Yeda Anna, and Loca.
Moreover, these were not brief interactions. The actor jammed with the musicians and had long conversations about life, music, ambition, and struggle. As a result, he gained a deeper understanding of how rap becomes a powerful tool for survival, self-expression, and identity.
A Facial Piercing for Complete Authenticity
In addition to immersing himself emotionally, Adarsh Gourav also transformed physically. To fully step into Maruti’s world, he even got a facial piercing, reinforcing his commitment to authenticity.
Consequently, every detail—from his body language to his attitude—was shaped by real-life observation. The goal, clearly, was to make the character feel lived-in rather than performed.
“I Couldn’t Build Maruti Only Through the Script”
Reflecting on his preparation, Gourav shared that Maruti comes from a very specific socio-cultural space. Hence, relying only on the script was never an option.
Furthermore, spending time with underground rappers helped him understand where their hunger comes from and how their sound is deeply rooted in their surroundings. This insight, in turn, directly influenced his performance.
A Tribute to the Underground Rap Community
Through this process, Gourav developed deep respect for the underground rap community and their honesty as artists. Their stories, struggles, and lived experiences organically shaped Maruti’s character beyond what was written on paper.
A Gritty and Real Performance to Look Forward To
Ultimately, with Tu Yaa Main, Adarsh Gourav once again proves his dedication to realism. His deep dive into Mumbai’s underground rap scene promises a performance rich in truth, grit, and emotional depth, making Maruti one of his most authentic roles so far.
