As Nitesh Tiwari’s much-awaited Ramayana arrives in theatres, Rakul takes fans behind the scenes of her transformation into one of the epic’s most misunderstood characters. The actress credits director Nitesh Tiwari, producer Namit Malhotra and her makeup and costume teams for making the experience unforgettable.
Mumbai: While Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama, Yash as Ravana and Sai Pallavi as Sita have been grabbing attention in Nitesh Tiwari’s ambitious Ramayana, another character is quietly creating plenty of curiosity among viewers. Rakul Preet Singh, who plays Ravana’s sister Surpanakha, has finally opened up about her experience of being part of the grand mythological spectacle. And her behind-the-scenes pictures reveal just how much effort went into bringing the character to life.
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With the first instalment now playing in theatres following its November 5 release, Rakul took to Instagram to share pictures from the sets. One photograph shows her sitting through the makeup process, while another captures her standing on the set, waiting for her scene cues.
But it was her emotional caption that truly caught attention. The actress revealed that she had been waiting for the right moment to share her experience and described being part of Ramayana as a special journey.
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For Rakul, this was not simply another film assignment. It was an opportunity to become part of a story that has been passed down through generations and holds a special place in Indian culture.
Rakul Preet Singh Spent Four Hours Every Day Becoming Surpanakha
One of the most interesting details from Rakul’s post is the amount of time required to create her on-screen appearance. The actress revealed that her hair, makeup and costume teams worked extensively to prepare her for the role, with the transformation taking approximately four hours every day.
She gave a special shout-out to her team members, including Im Sal and Aliya Shaikh, along with the costume department, for creating Surpanakha’s look.
Rakul credited their creativity and hard work for the appreciation coming her way. The revelation offers a glimpse into the demanding preparation behind a large-scale mythological production, where appearance, detailing and visual authenticity can be just as important as performance.
Playing a character from an epic as familiar as the Ramayana comes with its own expectations. Audiences already have a strong understanding of Surpanakha through traditional storytelling, television adaptations, literature and popular culture. Any new interpretation is therefore likely to invite comparisons.
The four-hour daily preparation also indicates how carefully the production approached the character’s visual presentation. For Rakul, the challenge was not just to look different but to inhabit a character whose presence has a major impact on the story.
‘It’s Not Just a Film’: Rakul Gets Emotional About Being Part of Ramayana
In her Instagram note, Rakul expressed gratitude for the opportunity to be associated with a story that has been part of India’s cultural identity for generations.
She wrote, “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. To see Ramayana being brought to life on such a grand scale is truly something else.”
The actress also thanked producer Namit Malhotra and director Nitesh Tiwari for their vision and ambition.
She praised their efforts to create something extraordinary and take an Indian story to audiences across the world. The scale of the production, she suggested, made the experience even more meaningful.
Rakul concluded her note by saying that being part of the film was more than just another acting opportunity. It was a moment that made her feel proud as an Indian.
Her words also reflect the larger ambition behind the project: presenting one of India’s most celebrated epics through a modern cinematic experience that can connect with audiences beyond the country.
Why Surpanakha Is One of the Most Important Characters in Ramayana
Rakul’s casting is particularly interesting because Surpanakha is not simply another supporting character in the epic. Her encounter with Rama and Lakshmana becomes one of the important turning points in the larger conflict between Rama and Ravana.
According to the traditional narrative, Surpanakha approaches Rama during his exile in the forest and expresses her desire to marry him. After Rama redirects her towards Lakshmana, the encounter turns hostile. Lakshmana eventually cuts off her nose after she threatens Sita.
Humiliated and furious, Surpanakha approaches her brother Ravana and tells him about Sita’s beauty. This encounter plays a crucial role in setting the events of Sita’s abduction and the eventual Rama-Ravana war into motion.
That makes Surpanakha a character with a much larger narrative purpose than her screen time might initially suggest.
Her portrayal also presents an interesting acting opportunity for Rakul. The character can be explored through multiple emotions, including desire, rejection, humiliation, anger and revenge.
A layered performance could help audiences look beyond the familiar image of Surpanakha and understand the character’s role in the chain of events that follows.
For Rakul, this could become one of the most distinctive performances in her filmography, particularly because mythological characters are often remembered long after a film’s theatrical run.
Ranbir Kapoor, Yash and Sai Pallavi Lead Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana
Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, Ramayana brings together an impressive ensemble cast. Ranbir Kapoor plays Lord Rama, Sai Pallavi portrays Sita, Yash appears as Ravana, and Ravi Dubey plays Lakshmana. Sunny Deol takes on the role of Hanuman, while Rakul Preet Singh appears as Surpanakha.
The film is produced by Namit Malhotra’s Prime Focus Studios in collaboration with DNEG and Yash’s Monster Mind Creations.
The project draws primarily from Valmiki’s Ramayana, while also taking inspiration from other traditional versions of the epic, including Tulsidas’ Ramcharitmanas.
Its scale and visual ambition have been among the biggest talking points surrounding the production. The involvement of DNEG, known internationally for its visual effects work, adds another dimension to the film’s technical ambitions.
The makers are attempting to present a story deeply familiar to Indian audiences in a cinematic format designed to reach viewers around the world.
Ramayana Part 2: What Happens Next?
The first instalment is only the beginning of the larger cinematic journey. The story is planned as a two-part film series, with the second instalment now scheduled for a worldwide release during Diwali 2028.
The next chapter is expected to move further into the conflict between Rama and Ravana, bringing the epic closer to its defining confrontation.
For Rakul, the sequel could offer another opportunity to explore the consequences of Surpanakha’s actions and the character’s place in the larger narrative, depending on how the story unfolds in the adaptation.
The success of the first film will also be important in determining how audiences respond to the overall vision. Strong audience engagement could strengthen the franchise’s position as one of the biggest mythological film projects in Indian cinema.
Could Surpanakha Become a Career-Defining Role for Rakul?
Rakul has appeared in films across Hindi, Tamil and Telugu cinema, but a major mythological production of this scale offers a different kind of visibility.
The character of Surpanakha gives her an opportunity to move away from conventional commercial roles and explore a figure with a complicated emotional and narrative journey.
Her behind-the-scenes post has already drawn attention to the effort involved in creating the character. The next important test will be how audiences respond to her actual performance after watching the film.
There is also a larger opportunity here. If Rakul’s portrayal connects with viewers, it could encourage filmmakers to consider her for more performance-driven roles, including period dramas and large-scale cinematic projects.
For now, the actress appears delighted to have been part of the experience. Her gratitude towards the makers and the technicians behind her transformation makes one thing clear: bringing Surpanakha to the screen required an entire team working behind the camera.
And while the audience sees the final character for a few moments on screen, Rakul’s four-hour daily transformation tells a much bigger story about the effort that went into creating her look.
With Ramayana now in theatres and its second instalment on the horizon, Rakul Preet Singh’s Surpanakha has certainly given fans another reason to look closely at the epic’s many characters.
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