Mumbai: Actress Rakul Preet Singh has said she accepted the role of Surpanakha in Nitesh Tiwari’s upcoming Ramayana because of the character’s complexity and the opportunity to challenge conventional perceptions.

Responding to a heartfelt open letter shared by an admirer, Singh explained what drew her to the part. The letter praised her casting and noted that while Surpanakha is often remembered for a single incident, she remains one of the more complex and influential figures in the epic, whose choices significantly altered its course.

A section of the letter read: “For generations, Surpanakha has often been remembered through an incident. Yet she remains one of the complex and influential characters in the Ramayana. Her choices altered the course of the epic making her more significant than many people realize. That is why I found your casting so intriguing.”

The admirer also asked what inspired Singh to take on the challenging role and expressed hope that her performance would encourage audiences to view the character with a fresh perspective.

Replying on X, Singh wrote: “Thank you for this beautiful letter. What made me say yes to Surpanakha was exactly what you mentioned - her complexity. History often remembers her for one moment, but there is so much more to her story.”

She added: “As an actor, roles that challenge perception are the most exciting. I hope audiences discover her with an open mind when Ramayana arrives.”

The initial glimpse of Singh as Surpanakha has already generated interest among audiences. Directed by Nitesh Tiwari and produced by Namit Malhotra’s Prime Focus Studios and eight-time Academy Award-winning VFX studio DNEG, in collaboration with Yash’s Monster Mind Creations, Ramayana: Part One is scheduled for a Diwali 2026 release.

By highlighting the layered nature of the character rather than a single widely known episode, Singh has framed her approach to the role as an opportunity to explore a more complete portrayal. The film’s makers have positioned the project as a large-scale cinematic retelling of the epic, with significant visual-effects collaboration.

Singh’s comments underscore her interest in parts that move beyond familiar interpretations and invite audiences to reassess well-known figures from mythology.