Rakul Preet Singh Reveals Surpanakha’s Untold Layers in Ramayana: “There Was a Lot About Her That I Didn’t Know”

Rakul Preet Singh is all set to explore a completely different side of her acting with Nitesh Tiwari’s upcoming Ramayana, where she will portray Surpanakha, the sister of Ravana. The film features Ranbir Kapoor as Ram and Sai Pallavi as Sita.

For Rakul, the role offered an opportunity to look beyond the familiar image of Surpanakha and discover the character’s lesser-known layers. According to the actor, reading the Ramayana script introduced her to several aspects of Surpanakha’s life that she had not previously known.

Rakul Preet Singh Says Surpanakha Has More Layers Than Expected

Surpanakha is often remembered for her encounter with Ram, Sita and Lakshman, but Rakul believes the character has much more to explore.

Speaking about the role, Rakul explained that different interpretations of characters from the Ramayana can allow actors to discover new dimensions while remaining connected to the essence of the original text.

“Every few years, you see a different interpretation and presentation of these characters, while keeping the essence rooted in the original text,” Rakul said.

For the actor, approaching Surpanakha from an acting perspective meant looking at her as a character with multiple layers and the potential to make an impact within the story.

The Side of Surpanakha That Fascinated Rakul

One of the aspects that particularly attracted Rakul was the personality of Surpanakha beyond the incident for which she is traditionally remembered.

Rakul said, “She was apparently the most beautiful woman of Lanka. She had an ego, but then she was layered. As an actor, it's fun to explore those layers.”

The description suggests that the portrayal will look beyond a straightforward antagonist image and focus on the different elements that make Surpanakha an interesting character.

Ramayana Script Revealed Things Rakul Didn’t Know

Rakul also revealed that the script surprised her by introducing details about Surpanakha’s life that were previously unfamiliar to her.

“There was a lot about her that I didn't know,” the actor said.

According to Rakul, the script explores Surpanakha’s life both before and after the well-known incident in which Lakshman chops off her nose.

This broader exploration was one of the reasons the role became particularly appealing to her.

How Does Surpanakha Meet Ram?

Another element that caught Rakul’s attention was Surpanakha’s journey and the circumstances surrounding her encounter with Ram.

Rakul said there was a lot she discovered about what happens in Surpanakha’s life and how she eventually meets Ram. For her, these previously unfamiliar aspects made the character even more interesting to portray.

With Ramayana presenting its characters through a broader lens, Rakul Preet Singh’s Surpanakha could offer audiences a different perspective on a character who has traditionally been remembered primarily for one pivotal episode.

The film stars Ranbir Kapoor as Ram, Sai Pallavi as Sita and Rakul Preet Singh as Surpanakha, with Nitesh Tiwari directing the project.