Priyanka Chopra was the first choice for Surpanakha in Ranbir Kapoor-starrer Ramayana? Here's how Rakul got the role
A post shared by Namit Malhotra (@iamnamitmalhotra)
Actor Rakul Preet Singh was roped in to play the character of Ravana's sister Surpanakha in Nitesh Tiwari's Ramayana. But a report shared by ETimes has now revealed that Desi Girl Priyanka Chopra Jonas was the first choice for this role. A source was quoted saying, 'Surpanakha is one of the main reasons the Ramayan took place. The makers were keen on having Priyanka Chopra for the same role. But things didn't work out owing to her packed schedule with international projects. That's when Rakul came on board. She fitted the role perfectly and brought intensity and a fresh take to the character.'
A post shared by Priyanka (@priyankachopra)
Well, this casting could have been quite interesting. While Priyanka is sadly not a part of Ramayana, she will soon be making her comeback to Indian cinema with SS Rajamouli's next, co-starring Mahesh Babu. PeeCee was also in the news regarding another project with Atlee and Allu Arjun, but she reportedly declined the offer. Deepika Padukone was later roped in for the film.
Ramayana, on the other hand, is currently being shot. While Ranbir has completed his portions, Yash is filming for his parts in Mumbai. The multi-starrer also stars Sunny Deol as Hanuman, Ravi Dubey as Laxman, Kajal Aggarwal as Mandodri and Lara Dutta as Kakeyi. How excited are you for this magnum opus?
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News18
an hour ago
- News18
Viraj Kapoor On His Role In Chakravarti Samrat Prithviraj Chauhan: ‘Got Very Excited'
Last Updated: Viraj Kapoor opened up about what drew him to the character and how he mentally prepares to portray a negative role. Television actor Viraj Kapoor has been winning hearts in popular historical drama Chakravarti Samrat Prithviraj Chauhan. With his gripping portrayal of the powerful antagonist Nagarjuna, he is bringing plenty of drama, action and unexpected twists in the show. Recently, he sat for an interview with a media portal where he shared his excitement about stepping into this intense role. In an interview with ETimes, Viraj opened up about what drew him to the character and how he mentally prepares to portray a negative role. Moreover, he spoke about working with popular actor Ronit Roy, who was playing a significant role in the show as well. Revealing that the depth of Nagarjuna's character was the main reason he decided to accept the role. 'When I learned how powerful this character is and the kind of impact it leaves on the show every time, I knew I had to do it. In the 5th episode, viewers get to know that he has killed his own brother. By the 10th episode, he betrays his father and later plans to kill Ronit Roy's character. There are a lot of things that this character offers. When I got to know about the character, I got very excited and decided to do it," Viraj stated. Known for his versatile acting, Viraj is not new to playing negative roles. He has stepped into the role of an antagonist in several shows. Sharing his experience, he explained, 'I've played many negative roles before, so I have never struggled with keeping distinctions. As an actor, it's important to know when to switch on and switch off from the role, which personally I know with time. While shooting, you have to immerse yourself completely in the character, otherwise, fans won't enjoy what they see." Viraj also expressed his enthusiasm about working with acclaimed actor Ronit Roy. In a chat with Zoom, the young actor said, 'I've admired Ronit sir since the beginning. I had never worked with him. In the beginning, I was nervous, but not scared. The person whom you've seen since childhood—you like their qualities, but when you work with them, you need to keep that excitement aside. Because if you are in a zone of excitement, you can't perform." As the main villain in Chakravarti Samrat Prithviraj Chauhan, Viraj's character plays an important role in shaping the storyline. Nagarjuna's betrayal and power struggles bring a significant twist to the plot, especially with his menacing plans to kill King Someshwar (played by Ronit Roy). Before Chakravarti Samrat Prithviraj Chauhan, Viraj Kapoor was seen playing significant roles in shows like Tera Yaar Hoon Main, Kulfi Kumar Bajewala and Nadaan Parindey Ghar Aaja. view comments First Published: July 16, 2025, 17:56 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
Bigg Boss Malayalam 7: Avantika Mohan to enter the show? Here's what the actress has to say
Avantika Mohan clarifies she is not participating in Bigg Boss Malayalam Season 7. Rumors circulated online, surprising the actress and her acquaintances. She was approached before but declined due to work commitments. Avantika is known for roles in films and television, including Athmasakhi. She is also an entrepreneur with an online fashion store. With Bigg Boss Malayalam Season 7 just weeks away from launch, the buzz around potential contestants is gaining momentum. As fans eagerly await the grand premiere, several celebrity names have been doing the rounds on social media. Among them is popular actress and model Avantika Mohan, whose rumored entry into the show has sparked significant curiosity. However, in an exclusive conversation with ETimes, Avantika has finally addressed the speculation and put the rumours to rest. "No, I am not entering the show. I was quite surprised to see my name trending as a contestant. Even my close friends and family started asking me about it. So, to make it clear, I am not a part of Bigg Boss Malayalam 7. I was approached earlier by the team, but I couldn't commit due to work obligations. I like the show, and maybe someday I'd love to be a part of it, but definitely not this time.' Avantika Mohan is a well-known face in Malayalam entertainment. She began her career in films with notable roles in Yakshi – Faithfully Yours, Neelakasham Pachakadal Chuvanna Bhoomi, and Crocodile Love Story. She later transitioned to television, gaining widespread recognition for her portrayal of Dr. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Đây có thể là thời điểm tốt nhất để giao dịch vàng trong 5 năm qua IC Markets Tìm hiểu thêm Undo Nandita in Athmasakhi. Her subsequent roles in Priyapettaval, Thoovalsparsham, and most recently Manimuthu, further cemented her popularity. Her powerful performance as police officer Sreya Nandini was especially lauded by audiences. Apart from acting, Avantika is also a social media favorite. Her modeling videos and photoshoots often go viral, and she has recently ventured into entrepreneurship by launching her own online fashion store, a move that's been well-received by fans and followers alike. Avantika isn't the only celebrity to dismiss rumors about joining the show. Earlier, actress Rekha Ratheesh also confirmed that she will not be entering the Bigg Boss house this season. Bigg Boss Malayalam 7 is expected to premiere in the first week of August. While the final list of celebrity contestants remains under wraps, reports suggest that interviews for commoner entries have already begun and the housemates are being finalized.
Time of India
4 hours ago
- Time of India
Dishita Sehgal to play young Surpanakha in Nitesh Tiwari's Ramayana
Dishita Sehgal Dishita Sehgal, who began her journey in the entertainment world through TV commercials at the age of four, gradually won hearts with her natural flair. Her big Bollywood break came with the thriller Baby, in which she played Akshay Kumar's daughter, followed by Dear Zindagi, where she portrayed the younger version of Alia Bhatt, and Hindi Medium. She also made her mark in the action blockbuster War, alongside Hrithik Roshan and Tiger Shroff. And now, she will be seen in one of the most awaited films of the year – Nitesh Tiwari's Ramayana. The ambitious mythological epic boasts a stellar cast, with Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram, Sai Pallavi as Sita, and Yash as Ravana. Fifteen-year-old Dishita has been cast as the young Surpanakha in the film. Rakul Preet Singh will portray the grown-up Surpanakha in the much-anticipated project. A source associated with the production says, 'Dishita went through a series of auditions and look tests for the role before getting selected. She shot her portion earlier this year. Being part of such a highly anticipated project, she is obviously quite excited.' Currently, she is working on commercials and recently shot an advertisement with badminton ace PV Sindhu. She also appeared in the OTT show Behan Dar Gayi Naa recently. Dishita is being selective about acting projects because she is in the 10th standard and wants to focus on her studies. The much-awaited teaser of Ramayana, which was released earlier this month, has been making waves on social media. Filmmaker Nitesh Tiwari became emotional while addressing the crowd at a special screening in Mumbai. Director Nitesh Tiwari and producer Namit Malhotra engaged with the media after the teaser became a sensation online. Both Tiwari and Malhotra made a surprise appearance. Nitesh quipped, 'It was fate that our shoot ended a day early and we're here. Otherwise, we would have been on set.'
