Rakul Preet Singh on Surpanakha role in Ramayana: 'Not every day you get to be part of such a story'
Synopsis
Rakul Preet Singh has broken her silence on playing Surpanakha in Nitesh Tiwari's 'Ramayana', describing it as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be part of a story woven into India's cultural fabric. The film, one of Bollywood's most anticipated mythological epics, hit theatres on 5 November 2026 with Ranbir Kapoor and Sai Pallavi in the lead roles.
Key Takeaways
Rakul Preet Singh plays Surpanakha in Nitesh Tiwari's 'Ramayana' , released on 5 November 2026 .
Rakul shared her excitement via an Instagram post, calling the role 'a special journey.' She thanked producer Namit Malhotra and director Nitesh Tiwari for their vision to take the story to global audiences.
The film stars Ranbir Kapoor and Sai Pallavi in the lead roles, with an ensemble including Yash , Kajal Aggarwal , and Shobana .
Rakul also acknowledged her hair, makeup, and costume teams for bringing the Surpanakha look to life.
Actress Rakul Preet Singh has spoken about her experience portraying Surpanakha in director Nitesh Tiwari's epic film 'Ramayana', calling it one of the most meaningful journeys of her career. The film, starring Ranbir Kapoor and Sai Pallavi in the lead roles, released in theatres on 5 November 2026.
Rakul's Feelings on the Role
Taking to Instagram, Rakul expressed that she had been waiting to share her experience ever since she was cast. 'Have been waiting to share the experience of Playing Surpanakha in Ramayana. It has been such a special journey for me. It's not every day that you get to be a part of a story that has been a part of our lives and culture for generations,' she wrote.
She added that witnessing the epic being mounted at such a grand scale was 'truly something else,' and described the entire experience as one that filled her with pride as an Indian. 'Being part of a story that means so much to our country, and seeing it come together on such a scale, makes this journey even more special,' she said.
Gratitude to the Filmmakers and Cast
Rakul extended warm thanks to producer Namit Malhotra and director Nitesh Tiwari, praising their ambition to take an Indian story to global audiences. 'Thank you... the visionaries who dreamt big and turned this vision a reality. Their hardwork and the desire to create something extraordinary from india to the world has been a very inspiring journey,' she wrote.
She also gave a special shoutout to co-stars including Ranbir Kapoor, Sai Pallavi, Yash, Ravi Dubey, Kajal Aggarwal, and Shobana, among others, acknowledging the collective effort that brought the film to life. The actress also praised her hair, makeup, and costume teams for crafting her look as Surpanakha.
Scale and Cultural Significance
Tiwari's 'Ramayana' has been among the most anticipated Hindi film productions in recent years, with its makers positioning it as a large-scale cinematic retelling of the ancient epic for contemporary global audiences. For Rakul, whose recent credits include 'Mere Husband Ki Biwi', the role marks a notable departure into mythological territory.
The film's release on 5 November 2026 marks the culmination of what is reportedly a multi-year production effort. How audiences and critics receive the film's expansive ensemble and its cinematic treatment of one of India's most cherished epics will be closely watched in the days ahead.
Point of View
And being cast as Surpanakha — a complex, often-vilified figure — in a mega-production signals a deliberate push to recast Rakul's range. Whether Tiwari's 'Ramayana' can match the cultural event-status it is clearly angling for will depend on critical reception, which is only beginning to emerge.
NationPress
6 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who does Rakul Preet Singh play in Nitesh Tiwari's 'Ramayana'?
Rakul Preet Singh plays Surpanakha in director Nitesh Tiwari's 'Ramayana'. She described the role as a special and deeply meaningful journey, calling it a rare opportunity to be part of a story embedded in Indian culture for generations.
When did the 'Ramayana' film release in theatres?
Nitesh Tiwari's 'Ramayana' released in theatres on 5 November 2026. The film has been among the most anticipated Bollywood productions in recent years.
Who are the lead actors in Nitesh Tiwari's 'Ramayana'?
Ranbir Kapoor and Sai Pallavi play the lead roles in 'Ramayana'. The ensemble cast also includes Yash, Ravi Dubey, Kajal Aggarwal, and Shobana, among others.
What did Rakul Preet Singh say about director Nitesh Tiwari and producer Namit Malhotra?
Rakul praised both Nitesh Tiwari and Namit Malhotra as visionaries who dreamt big and turned their vision into reality. She described their desire to take an Indian story to global audiences as an inspiring journey.
What is 'Ramayana' the Bollywood film about?
'Ramayana' is Nitesh Tiwari's large-scale cinematic retelling of the ancient Indian epic of the same name. Produced by Namit Malhotra, it is positioned as a grand mythological film aimed at both Indian and global audiences.
