Rakul Preet Singh on acting: 'Don't want to be put in a box'
Synopsis
Rakul Preet Singh isn't chasing stardom — she's chasing range. In a candid conversation, the 'Runway 34' actress explains why she refuses to be typecast, why honesty on screen beats box-office calculus, and why she thinks social media became an actor's worst enemy only after the pandemic.
Key Takeaways
Rakul Preet Singh says she does not want to be 'put in a box' and wants every film to teach her something new as an actor.
She prioritises stories that resonate with audiences and give her space to evolve as a performer.
Rakul believes audiences connect with honesty, calling genuine performance 'the biggest reward' over stardom.
She attributes the surge in social media opinion culture to the pandemic era — the last five to six years.
Her advice to actors: 'shut the noise, put your blinders on, work, and then disconnect' from social media chatter.
Actress Rakul Preet Singh says that after years in the film industry, she remains driven by a desire to constantly reinvent herself on screen — choosing roles that challenge her rather than ones that simply fit a familiar mould.
The Philosophy Behind Her Film Choices
Rakul, known for films such as 'De De Pyaar De', 'Runway 34', and 'Doctor G', says her approach to selecting projects has evolved significantly. She now prioritises stories that she believes will resonate deeply with audiences while also giving her room to grow as a performer.
'I don't want to be put in a box. Every film should teach me something new and help me discover different shades of myself as an actor,' she said.
This is a marked shift from the early phase of her career, where commercial viability often drove casting decisions. Rakul's recent body of work reflects a deliberate pivot toward character-driven narratives across genres.
On Connecting With Audiences
The actress believes that genuine emotional honesty is what audiences respond to most. 'I have realised that the audience connects with honesty. I want to be part of stories that stay with people and make me grow as an actor,' she said.
For Rakul, critical appreciation and audience love for her performances outweigh conventional markers of stardom. 'Stardom is beautiful, but for me, the work matters the most. If people love my films and appreciate my performances, that is the biggest reward,' she added.
Her Take on Social Media and Mental Noise
Rakul also shared a candid perspective on how social media has reshaped the environment for actors — particularly those who entered the industry before platforms like Instagram and X became central to public discourse.
'I think when you are newer and when you just start, you get affected. Luckily, when I started, social media wasn't so prominent. This is only the last five years, and I think people have started having an opinion only through the pandemic,' she said.
She argued that the pandemic-era surge in online commentary created a new kind of pressure on performers — one that did not exist a decade ago. Her advice to younger actors is unambiguous: disengage. 'As an actor, you have to shut that noise and distance yourself from the chatter. Just put your blinders on and work, and then disconnect. Because if you start getting affected by what everyone is saying on social media, then you will be a disaster,' she said.
Where She Stands Now
With several projects in the pipeline, Rakul appears to be in a phase of deliberate creative expansion — resisting typecasting while staying grounded in craft over clout. Whether that translates into bolder, genre-defying choices in the near term remains to be seen.
Point of View
Who are often reduced to genre-specific slots. Her insistence on craft over clout is admirable, but the real test is in the choices: whether future projects genuinely stretch her or simply carry the language of ambition without the risk. The social media commentary is also worth noting — she is one of the few actors to explicitly link pandemic-era online culture to a measurable shift in audience behaviour toward performers, which rings true and is underreported in mainstream entertainment coverage.
NationPress
2 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Rakul Preet Singh say about typecasting?
Rakul Preet Singh said she does not want to be 'put in a box' and wants every film to teach her something new. She stressed that her film choices are now driven by stories that challenge her and help her discover different shades of herself as an actor.
What is Rakul Preet Singh's view on stardom?
Rakul said that while stardom is 'beautiful', work remains her top priority. She considers audience love for her films and appreciation of her performances to be the biggest reward, above conventional markers of fame.
How does Rakul Preet Singh deal with social media pressure?
Rakul advises actors to distance themselves from social media chatter and 'put your blinders on.' She noted that she was fortunate to have started her career before social media became prominent, and credits that early grounding for her ability to tune out online noise.
When did social media start affecting actors, according to Rakul?
According to Rakul Preet Singh, the last five to six years — particularly since the pandemic — marked a turning point when audiences began forming and expressing strong opinions about actors through social media platforms.
Which films is Rakul Preet Singh known for?
Rakul Preet Singh is known for films including 'De De Pyaar De', 'Runway 34', and 'Doctor G', spanning comedy, drama, and thriller genres across Hindi cinema.
