Rakul Preet Singh Says Surpanakha’s Complexity Inspired Her to Join ‘Ramayana’

Rakul Preet Singh has opened up about portraying Surpanakha in filmmaker Nitesh Tiwari’s highly anticipated epic Ramayana. The actress said Surpanakha is often remembered for a single episode from the epic, while the character possesses much greater emotional depth and complexity. She added that portraying layered characters has always been one of the most exciting aspects of her acting career.

Rakul was responding to an open letter from a fan who praised her for accepting the role and described Surpanakha as one of the pivotal characters who changed the course of the Ramayana. Replying on X, Rakul said it was the character’s complexity that drew her to the role. She noted that history has largely remembered Surpanakha through one incident, even though there are many unexplored dimensions to her story. Expressing confidence in the film, Rakul said audiences would see the character from a completely new perspective after the release of Ramayana: Part 1. Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, the film is jointly produced by Namit Malhotra’s Prime Focus Studios, DNEG, and Yash’s Monster Mind Creations, and is scheduled for a Diwali release next year.