CREDITS –
Photographer: Arjun Mark
Stylist: Ami Patel
Make-up: Salim Sayed
Hairstylist: Aliya Shaik
Jewellery: A Jewels by Anmol
Production: FSP Productions
Executed by: Niharika Singh of Studio Little Dumpling
Artist’s Reputation Management: Spice
Wardrobe: Falguni Shane Peacock
Whether it’s acing her acting roles, cracking auditions after patiently waiting in queues, or balancing her entrepreneurial dreams with her film career, Rakul Preet Singh is living proof that with passion, dedication, and a touch of entrepreneurial flair, one can truly do it all—and do it well. She talks about all this and more in a candid conversation with The Peacock Magazine.
Rakul Preet Singh is an actor, but she refuses to let this facet define her entirely. Even before she stepped into the spotlight, she had adopted the philosophy that one should always strive to be more than just one thing. Whether it’s films, fitness, or food, Rakul has taken on every challenge with passion and grace, leaving an indelible mark on everything she touches. True to her belief that discipline, dedication, and consistency are key, she has built an entrepreneurial empire that reflects her commitment to creating something meaningful. Her most recent ventures into wellness-based businesses prove that she’s not only passionate about her own fitness but is dedicated to creating the same impact in others’ lives as well.
Whether she’s talking about films or her entrepreneurial projects, Rakul is always driven by the same principle: to do good work. Rakul’s approach is refreshingly focused on substance over glamour—be it acting or entrepreneurship.
Despite her vast array of accomplishments, Rakul remains grounded, never letting the noise of social media or external pressures derail her focus. She’s immune to trends and distractions, steadfastly following her own path with the confidence that when you stay true to yourself and your craft, everything else falls into place.
Read excerpts from the insightful interview with Rakul.
Q) What kind of movies did you grow up watching?
Rakul Preet Singh (RPS): Well, I grew up watching full-length Bollywood movies. I was a filmi (related to Bollywood) kid—I would watch Shah Rukh (Khan) sir’s films like Dilwale Dulhaniyan Le Jayenge (DDLJ) and Kuch Kuch Hota Hai. I was a sucker for Bollywood romance. I watched all the movies; I was a movie buff. And I loved buying music cassettes. I was one of those kids who grew up on Bollywood.
Q) When did you first realise that you wanted to become an actor?
RPS: I think I was very filmi from a young age, but I didn’t realise that acting was a viable career option. It was only in high school that my mother actually suggested that I try for Miss India because I was so smitten by the Miss India pageant. I watched it religiously and followed it thoroughly. She supported me, and I thought, why not give it a try? And here we are!
Q) What is your favourite genre of movies as an audience?
RPS: My favourite genre has to be romance. I’m a sucker for it! And then, thrillers. I love both romance and thrillers, but especially old-school Bollywood romance.
Q) How did you get your debut film?
RPS: My debut film, well, I’ve said this many times, but it happened by chance. I started modelling right after school, just when I was entering college. Someone saw my pictures after about a month and called me for a Kannada film. I initially refused because I was still studying, but they called my father, checked my birth date, and told him, “She’s going to be a big star one day, and we want to launch her”. That intrigued me. I thought, “Great! I’m going to make money in lakhs, whereas my pocket money was only 2,000 rupees a month, and I’d be the first in my friend group to buy a car!” So, I decided to give it a shot. I took a 40-day break and shot my first film during my first year of college, and I enjoyed the process so much that I decided to pursue acting seriously after my studies. I continued modelling while in college, and after I graduated, I moved to Bombay, and the films happened. Of course, I went through the usual auditioning process for two years—standing in the Aram Nagar queues—and then I cracked the audition for Yaariyan. Simultaneously, my first Telugu film happened. And that’s been my journey.
Q) How do you go about selecting your films?
RPS: I think the basis of selecting films evolves over time, right? When you start, you choose from what’s available. But as you find your feet, you understand what you should gravitate towards and start making those choices. At this stage of my career, I want meaty roles, regardless of genre. Even in rom-coms, there are meaty roles. So, I’m not genre-specific, but I definitely want to keep trying different things, and different characters. That’s what motivates me to wake up and get excited about going to the set every day. For me, it all starts with a great script.
Q) Any particular film or role that helped you discover the actor in-depth in you?
RPS: It’s never just one film that shapes your journey. Learning and evolving is such a subconscious process that it’s always happening. However, I do remember that three to four years into my career, I realized what I truly enjoy and what doesn’t resonate with me, and that’s when I started making a career shift. The choice of films changed as I figured out who I was and what I liked. So, while some films helped me discover that, it’s hard to pinpoint exactly when or where it happened.
Q) After working across several film industries, how confident have you grown as an actor?
RPS: If I had to describe myself, I’d say I’m very confident. In fact, when I started, more than talent, what I had was confidence. It’s what got me where I am today. Confidence grows when directors trust you with their vision, and as you start getting more challenging films, that confidence builds even further. So yes, I’m confident, and I hope I keep getting challenging, meaty roles to prove myself.
Q) Are you the kind to thrive on healthy competition, or do you simply ignore it and focus on yourself?
RPS: I think competition is great, especially healthy competition. I was a sports kid, and sports teach you to compete in a healthy way, which really comes from working on yourself. If you work on becoming a better version of yourself every day, you’ll realise that it’s not about others—it’s about you. Of course, when your peers are doing great work, it inspires you to work harder, and that’s a good thing. So, I believe competition and self-improvement go hand-in-hand. You have to embrace competition in a healthy way while constantly working on yourself because we are all works-in-progress.
Q) You are constantly in the limelight for your brand endorsements, magazine features, and more. Do you think an actor today can be relevant and trending with this kind of fame or is it only the number of films and its box-office earnings that speak for the actor?
RPS: I believe films speak for the actor. Box office performance has been unpredictable in the past 2-3 years, but if your film is loved by people, that’s what matters. I’m a believer that a film always finds its audience. That’s what keeps you going. Brand endorsements, magazine features, and everything else are extensions of our primary work—that of being an actor. I enjoy everything that comes with it, but to be credible and relevant, you need films that are appreciated. Whether it’s in theatres or on OTT platforms, films that find their audience are the ones that matter. There are plenty of films that didn’t perform at the box office but were later appreciated on OTT. So, building credibility with your audience is key, and everything else is just an extension of that.
Q) How do you define success?
RPS: Success, to me, is very deep. It’s not just about fame or money. It’s about living your life in peace, enjoying your work, and finding mental peace. A lot of people have fame and fortune but no peace. For me, it’s about balancing my inner self with my professional and personal lives. Everything working in harmony is true success.
Q) How do you think an actor today can be relevant and trending, given the rise of social media and the frills around it?
RPS: I believe in putting on blinders and focusing on doing good work—everything else will follow. It’s not important to chase trends or relevance on social media. What’s important is to run after good work. Honestly, I’m not the kind of person who gets affected by what’s trending. I believe if you stay focused and work hard consistently, everything else—whether it’s social media followers or trends—will follow.
Q) What are some of the personal beliefs that you firmly stand by professionally?
RPS: My personal belief in professionalism is that nothing beats discipline and punctuality. I’m a stickler for time. If you’re professional, you respect your own time and the time of others. Discipline is something I give utmost importance to, and I firmly believe that the universe conspires to make things happen for you when you give 100%. That’s part of this profession—constantly working on yourself and your craft.
Q) How often do you turn down roles because they typecast you?
RPS: Sometimes I turn down roles because I don’t resonate with the character. I don’t really turn down roles because of typecasting. If the script is good, I’ll do it. But I have turned down roles when I felt I didn’t fit the character or didn’t connect with the script. However, I don’t shy away from doing good work, regardless of typecasting.
Q) Do you think you’ve gotten better at cutting out the rest of the noise, so to speak?
RPS: Oh yes, absolutely! When I started out, I was definitely affected by the noise. Even now, I sometimes get affected, but I’m much more immune to it. I’ve reached a point where what matters most is what my family and close friends think. About 10 years ago, social media wasn’t as prevalent, and we didn’t know what people far away thought about our lives. Today, we post pictures, and everyone has an opinion. We’ve created this world of constant feedback. But I try to cut out the noise and, like I said, keep my blinders on and focus on good work.
Q) You’re very much into fitness. Is there any entrepreneurial stint planned in that direction?
RPS: I started my entrepreneurial journey in 2015 when I opened my first gym. Eventually, I had three gyms, which I sold last year. My first entrepreneurial venture was in fitness because, aside from films, the few things I understand are fitness and food! (laughs) That’s why my ventures, like Arambam, are food-based. I’m passionate about fitness and wellness, and I’m also an investor in several wellness-based companies.
Q) One film that is close to your heart. Why?
RPS: All films are close to my heart. If you’re asking about my films, then yes, all of them, because you leave a part of yourself with every film. Otherwise, the one film that will always be close to my heart is DDLJ. It was the beginning of my understanding of romance.
Q) What projects are you working on next?
RPS: I’m currently working on De De Pyaar De 2. We’re in the middle of shooting. I’m also working on another film with Neena Guptaji—it’s just the two of us, and it’s very offbeat. We’ve finished shooting, so it should be released soon. Additionally, there’s a rom-com with Bhumi Pednekar and Arjun Kapoor that’s also nearing release. And there’s one more project I can’t speak much about just yet.