Kiran Rao | |
|---|---|
 Rao at theLakme Fashion Week in 2017 | |
| Born | (1973-11-07)7 November 1973 (age 51)[1][2] |
| Alma mater | Sophia College for Women Jamia Millia Islamia |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 2004–present |
| Organization(s) | Paani Foundation Aamir Khan Productions |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 1 |
| Relatives | Aditi Rao Hydari (cousin) |
Kiran Rao (born 7 November 1973) is an Indian filmmaker who works inHindi cinema. She has directed the filmsDhobi Ghat (2011) andLaapataa Ladies (2024). In 2016, Rao co-foundedPaani Foundation, a non-profit organisation.
Kiran Rao was born on 7 November 1973 inBengaluru,[3] daughter of retired army officer C R Rao and Uma Rao.[4] She grew up inCalcutta, where she attendedLoreto House &La Martinière for Girls.[5][6][7] In 1992, her parents decided to leave Calcutta for Bangalore so she moved toMumbai[2][8] for undergraduate studies. She graduated with an economics major from theSophia College for Women in 1995.[9] She attended the Social Communications Media course at the Sophia Polytechnic for two months, but then quit and left forDelhi. She got her master's degree at AJK Mass Communication Research Centre atJamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi.[10]
ActressAditi Rao Hydari is Rao's first cousin. Rao's paternal and Hydari's maternal grandfather,J. Rameshwar Rao,[11] was theRaja of Wanaparthy, a large estate under theNizam of Hyderabad.[12][13]
Rao started her career as the assistant director in theepic filmLagaan directed byAshutosh Gowariker, whom she also assisted later onSwades: We, the People.Lagaan was nominated for74th Academy Awards in the foreign language film category.Aamir Khan produced and starred in the same film. BeforeLagaan, she has also done minute role of supporting actress inDil Chahta Hai.[14] She also worked as second assistant director withAcademy Award-nominated directorMira Nair on the indie hitMonsoon Wedding.[15]
She scripted and directed the filmDhobi Ghat, which was released in January 2011 under Aamir Khan Productions.[16][17] She has started writing her next film which had roots in Kolkata.[2]
Kiran Rao was made the chairperson of the Mumbai Film Festival - MAMI in 2015.[18] She also sang aMarathi song 'Toofan Aalaya', the Satyamev Jayate Water Cup Anthem.[19]
In 2024, her filmLaapataa Ladies was selected as theIndian entry for theBest International Feature Film for the97th Academy Awards.[20]
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Rao married actorAamir Khan in December 2005, after Khan divorced his first wife Reena Dutta in 2002. They met on the sets ofLagaan. Rao was one of the film's assistant directors. They were living inBandra, a Mumbai suburb.[21] The couple have a son, Azad Rao Khan, born in December 2011 (through asurrogate mother) who has been named afterAbul Kalam Azad.[22]
Rao has been a vegan, and she had influenced her then-husband, Aamir Khan, to turn vegan as well. After discussing the issue, both of them decided to turn vegan.[23][24][25]
On 3 July 2021, Kiran Rao and Aamir Khan announced their decision to divorce after 15 years of marriage via a joint statement where they thanked their family and friends for their continuous support in this matter. They stated that they would continue to raise their son as co-parents.[26]
| Year | Title | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Dhobi Ghat | [27] |
| 2024 | Laapataa Ladies | [28] |
| Year | Title | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Na | associate producer |
| 2010 | Peepli Live | |
| 2011 | Dhobi Ghat | |
| 2011 | Delhi Belly | |
| 2012 | Talaash | |
| 2016 | Dangal | |
| 2017 | Secret Superstar | |
| 2019 | Rubaru Roshni[29] | television documentary film |
| 2022 | Laal Singh Chaddha |
| Year | Title |
|---|---|
| 2013 | Ship of Theseus |
| Year | Title |
|---|---|
| 2017 | Toofan Aalaya (Satyamev Jayate Water Cup anthem) |
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Artists | |
