Actor Adarsh Gourav has undertaken extensive field research to prepare for his role as a local rapper in the upcoming film Tu Yaa Main. To develop the character, Adarsh Gourav immersed himself in Mumbai’s underground hip-hop scene, spending time with independent artists across multiple neighbourhoods to better understand the cultural and social realities that shape the music.
As part of this process, the actor travelled through areas including Govandi, Nalasopara, Kurla, Dharavi and Andheri, where he interacted with several artists associated with the city’s independent rap movement. These included Vijay Dada, Gravity, Shakespeare, Neazy, Akku, 7 Bantai, Ace, Kinga, Ninja, Yeda Anna, and Loca, among others.
According to Gourav, the preparation extended beyond observation and included informal jam sessions and conversations around personal histories, creative processes, and the socio-economic challenges faced by artists working outside the mainstream music industry. He said this engagement helped him understand how environment and lived experience influence artistic voice, rhythm and identity.
To align physically with the character, Gourav also made changes to his appearance, including getting a facial piercing, as part of his effort to present the role as organically as possible. He noted that the intent was to move beyond scripted interpretation and build a character shaped by real-world influences.
The actor added that the experience deepened his understanding of Mumbai’s underground rap community, particularly the role music plays as a means of expression and survival. He said this perspective informed the emotional and cultural layers of his character, Maruti, beyond what was outlined in the screenplay.
Tu Yaa Main is expected to feature this research-driven approach as a central element of Gourav’s performance, with the actor continuing his practice of grounding fictional roles in real-life contexts.