Rakul Preet Singh: Surpanakha is misunderstood and layered

Rakul Preet Singh wants audiences to meet Surpanakha with fresh eyes. The actor, who plays Ravana’s sister in Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana: Rise of a Legend, says the part is far more than the single moment history usually remembers.

Why she said yes

In an interview with PTI, Rakul said two things drew her to the role: the chance to represent Indian history on a global stage and the character itself. “Surpanakha is a very misunderstood and layered character,” she said. “She was the reason why the war takes place in the first place.”

For Rakul, multiple shades made the part genuinely interesting. When a fan wrote to her about the casting, she shared the letter on X and wrote, “History often remembers her for one moment, but there is so much more to her story.” She added that roles which challenge perception are the most exciting.

Why Surpanakha matters in the epic

In the Ramayana, attributed to sage Valmiki, Surpanakha is Ravana’s sister. After an encounter with Lord Rama and Lakshman, she takes her grievance to her brother. The events that follow lead to Ravana abducting Sita and the war against Rama.

That position makes Surpanakha central to the story, but she is often reduced to a plot trigger. Rakul’s comments suggest the film will treat her with more interiority, rather than as a one-note villain who simply sets the war in motion.

A bigger stage for a familiar story

Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, the two-part adaptation stars Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama, Sai Pallavi as Sita and Yash as Ravana. Backed by Namit Malhotra and Yash, the project is reportedly being made on a combined budget of around Rs 4,000 crore.

The trailer has already sparked conversation about Ranbir’s look as Lord Rama, Sai Pallavi as Sita and the scale of the mythological epic. Rakul’s brief appearance as Surpanakha also caught attention, and her new comments give that casting more context.

What to watch for

Releasing on November 5 puts Ramayana: Rise of a Legend just before Diwali, when Bollywood places some of its biggest titles. By splitting the story across two Diwali seasons, the makers are betting that this epic can hold attention over two consecutive festive windows.

• November 5, 2026: Ramayana: Rise of a Legend releases in theatres, ahead of Diwali.
• Diwali 2027: The second part is expected to arrive.
• Around Rs 4,000 crore: The reported combined budget for the two parts.

If Rakul’s reading lands, Surpanakha may become one of the season’s most debated characters, not simply its catalyst.

Source: India Today