Why Rakul Preet Singh Chose To Play Surpanakha In ‘Ramayana’

Rakul Preet Singh may have appeared only briefly in the trailer of Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana. Still, her portrayal of Surpanakha has already become one of the film’s most talked-about reveals.

While audiences continue to debate the casting, the actor has explained why she chose to step into the shoes of one of Indian mythology’s most misunderstood women.

The discussion gained momentum after a fan shared an open letter on X, applauding Rakul for taking on a character who is often remembered for a single episode in the Ramayana.

The post described the casting as an opportunity to revisit Surpanakha’s story from a different perspective.

Responding to the message, Rakul made it clear that it was the emotional depth of the character that drew her to the project.

As reported by Filmfare, she wrote, “Thank you for this beautiful letter. I said yes to Surpanakha because of her complexity. History often remembers her for one moment, but there is so much more to her story. I hope we can all discover her with a little more empathy.”

Her response quickly resonated with fans, many of whom welcomed the possibility of seeing a more layered interpretation of the character on screen.

The Times of India also reported Rakul’s remarks, highlighting her belief that Surpanakha deserves to be seen beyond the incident that has defined her place in popular retellings of the epic.

Although the trailer offers only a fleeting glimpse of Rakul, it has been enough to spark conversations online.

In the Ramayana, Surpanakha’s encounter with Rama and Lakshmana becomes a turning point in the story, eventually leading to Ravana’s decision to abduct Sita and setting the stage for the epic battle that follows.

Rakul’s comments have fuelled speculation that the film could explore the character with greater emotional nuance instead of portraying her as a one-dimensional antagonist.

Directed by Nitesh Tiwari and backed by producer Namit Malhotra, Ramayana: Part One boasts one of the biggest ensemble casts in recent Indian cinema.

Ranbir Kapoor stars as Rama, Sai Pallavi plays Sita, while Yash takes on the role of Ravana.

The film also features Ravi Dubey as Lakshmana, Sunny Deol as Hanuman, and Rakul Preet Singh as Surpanakha, alongside Lara Dutta, Arun Govil, Kajal Aggarwal and Vivek Oberoi in key roles.

Scheduled to hit theatres during Diwali 2026, Ramayana: Part One is among the year’s most anticipated releases.

If Rakul’s comments are any indication, audiences may be in for a retelling that looks beyond familiar narratives and revisits one of mythology’s most controversial characters with a fresh perspective.

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