BAFTA-nominated actor Adarsh Gourav has taken an immersive approach for his upcoming film Tu Yaa Main, in which he essays the role of Maruti, a local rapper from Nalasopara. Adarsh spent time across Govandi, Nalasopara, Kurla, Dharavi, and Andheri, observing and jamming with artists who have built the city’s independent rap movement from the ground up. Speaking about the process, Adarsh said: “Very early on, I realised that Maruti couldn’t be built in isolation. His voice, his body language, even his silences come from a place that’s deeply tied to where he grew up.” Adarsh said that he felt it was important to step into that world before attempting to portray it on screen.

 

He shared: “I spent time with artists across different parts of the city, Govandi, Nalasopara, Kurla, Dharavi, Andheri and what stayed with me was how personal their music is. We spoke about ambition, about being unheard, about using music as a way to claim space.” “Those conversations shaped how I approached the character far more than any written note could.” Reflecting on what the experience gave him as an actor, Adarsh says, “Being around the underground rap community helped me understand where the fire comes from. Their music isn’t performative, it’s lived.” “I wanted Maruti to carry that truth, to feel like someone who belongs to that world rather than someone pretending to. That honesty is what I’ve tried to hold on to while playing him.” Directed by Bejoy Nambiar, Tu Yaa Main is set for release on 13 February 2026.