# Kiran Rao
**Kiran Rao** (किरण राव; born 1973) is an Indian film director, producer, and screenwriter who works in [Hindi cinema](https://www.edgepedia.org/hindi-cinema). She directed *Dhobi Ghat* (2010) and *Laapataa Ladies* (2023), produced a run of commercially and critically successful Hindi films through Aamir Khan Productions, and co-founded the non-profit Paani Foundation in 2016.[1](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1444479) • [2](https://resources.aima.in/souvenir/Foundation-Day-Souvenir2025.pdf)
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Born | 1973; sources give her birthplace as Gadwal, Telangana[3](https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/kiran-rao/bio/3030097094/) or Bengaluru, Karnataka[4](https://cinegraph.org/people/kiran-rao) |
| Education | Economics degree from Sophia College for Women, Mumbai (1995); master's from the AJK Mass Communication Research Center, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi[1](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1444479) |
| Directing credits | *Dhobi Ghat* (Mumbai Diaries, 2010) and *Laapataa Ladies* (2023)[2](https://resources.aima.in/souvenir/Foundation-Day-Souvenir2025.pdf) |
| Notable productions | *Lagaan* assistant director (2001); producer of *Peepli Live*, *Delhi Belly*, *Dangal*, *Secret Superstar*, and *Laal Singh Chaddha*[1](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1444479) • [2](https://resources.aima.in/souvenir/Foundation-Day-Souvenir2025.pdf) |
| Oscar entry | *Laapataa Ladies* was selected as India's official entry for the Best International Feature Film category at the 97th Academy Awards[5](https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/exclusive-kiran-rao-on-the-importance-of-subtitles-and-dubbing-to-expand-global-reach-of-indian-cinema-6638381) |
| Marriage | Married actor Aamir Khan on 28 December 2005; the couple announced their separation on 3 July 2021[6](https://www.khaleejtimes.com/entertainment/who-is-kiran-rao) |
| Philanthropy | Co-founded Paani Foundation in 2016, working on drought prevention, watershed management, and sustainable agriculture in Maharashtra[2](https://resources.aima.in/souvenir/Foundation-Day-Souvenir2025.pdf) |
## Early life and education
Rao was born in 1973. Her Hindi-language profiles place her birth in what was then [Andhra Pradesh](https://www.edgepedia.org/andhra-pradesh) and is now [Telangana](https://www.edgepedia.org/telangana), and note that her grandfather J. Rameshwar Rao was the ruler of the Wanaparthy principality in that state; the celebrity database Cinegraph instead lists Bengaluru, Karnataka, as her birthplace.[7](https://hindi.filmibeat.com/celebs/kiran-rao/biography.html) • [4](https://cinegraph.org/people/kiran-rao) She spent her childhood in Kolkata, where she received her primary education at Loreto House.[8](https://ndtv.in/bollywood/kiran-rao-belongs-to-royal-family-this-famous-actress-is-her-sister-aamir-khan-divorce-2478418)
She graduated with an economics major from Sophia College for Women in Mumbai in 1995 and then earned a master's degree at the AJK Mass Communication Research Center at Jamia Millia Islamia University in New Delhi.[1](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1444479)
## Assistant director years
Rao entered the film industry as an assistant director in 2001 on [Ashutosh Gowariker](https://www.edgepedia.org/ashutosh-gowariker)'s *Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India*, a period film that was nominated for the 74th Academy Award in the foreign language film category.[6](https://www.khaleejtimes.com/entertainment/who-is-kiran-rao)
Before and alongside *Lagaan*, she worked as second second assistant director on [Mira Nair](https://www.edgepedia.org/mira-nair)'s *Monsoon Wedding* (2001), and went on to serve as first assistant director on *Saathiya* (2002) and *Swades* (2004).[1](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1444479) She also had a minor supporting role in *Dil Chahta Hai* during this period.[9](https://notablepeopleproject.org/kiran_rao)
## Dhobi Ghat
Rao's first feature as director was *Dhobi Ghat*, released internationally as *Mumbai Diaries*, which she scripted, directed, and produced through Aamir Khan Productions.[1](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1444479) • [2](https://resources.aima.in/souvenir/Foundation-Day-Souvenir2025.pdf) The film follows four people from very different backgrounds whose lives intersect in Mumbai, and it tells its story partly through a video diary, black-and-white photographs, and painting.[1](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1444479) It premiered at the [Toronto International Film Festival](https://www.edgepedia.org/toronto-international-film-festival) in 2010 and received a worldwide theatrical release in January 2011.[2](https://resources.aima.in/souvenir/Foundation-Day-Souvenir2025.pdf) • [6](https://www.khaleejtimes.com/entertainment/who-is-kiran-rao)
## Producing at Aamir Khan Productions
After *Dhobi Ghat*, Rao stepped back from directing and took a producer's role at Aamir Khan Productions, working on films including *Taare Zameen Par* (2007), *Peepli Live* (2010), *Delhi Belly* (2011), *[Dangal](https://www.edgepedia.org/dangal-film)* (2016), *Secret Superstar* (2017), and *Laal Singh Chaddha* (2022).[10](https://www.platform-mag.com/film/up-close-and-personal.html) • [1](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1444479) She has described this slate as a deliberate choice: she says she is drawn to narratives that reflect the complexities of real life, and she backed films such as *Peepli Live*, which dealt with farmer suicides.[11](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/kiran-raos-commitment-to-authentic-storytelling-in-indian-cinema/articleshow/123650247.cms)
She has also served as executive producer on independent titles outside the studio's main line, including *Stolen* (2023) and *Humans in the Loop* (2024), a film set in [Jharkhand](https://www.edgepedia.org/jharkhand) about an Oraon Adivasi woman working in AI data-labeling.[1](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1444479) • [11](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/kiran-raos-commitment-to-authentic-storytelling-in-indian-cinema/articleshow/123650247.cms) Through her production house Kindling Pictures, she supports independent storytelling and new talent in Indian cinema.[12](https://films.wavesbazaar.com/media/3868/pl-catalogue.pdf)
## Laapataa Ladies
Rao returned to directing after a 13-year gap with *Laapataa Ladies* (released in theaters on 1 March 2024), a rural comedy about female agency in which two young brides are swapped during a train journey.[13](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/after-laapataa-ladies-kiran-rao-wishes-she-were-rohit-shetty-hes-editing-one-film-hes-directing-the-next-and-promoting-the-third/articleshow/131437082.cms) • [5](https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/exclusive-kiran-rao-on-the-importance-of-subtitles-and-dubbing-to-expand-global-reach-of-indian-cinema-6638381) • [14](https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/celebrity/kiran-rao/filmography/producer/) The film premiered at festivals including Toronto, Red Sea, Palm Springs, and Shanghai.[2](https://resources.aima.in/souvenir/Foundation-Day-Souvenir2025.pdf)
The film was chosen as India's official entry for the Best International Feature Film category at the 97th Academy Awards, a selection Rao said left her surprised, delighted, and honored.[5](https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/exclusive-kiran-rao-on-the-importance-of-subtitles-and-dubbing-to-expand-global-reach-of-indian-cinema-6638381) • [15](https://www.hollywoodreporterindia.com/amp/story/features/columns/from-charulata-to-parasite-kiran-rao-recommends-must-watch-films) It launched three new actors, [Nitanshi Goel](https://www.edgepedia.org/nitanshi-goel), Pratibha Ranta, and [Sparsh Shrivastava](https://www.edgepedia.org/sparsh-shrivastava), and Rao has said she casts newcomers partly because lean, independent productions with fair working hours suit fresh actors.[16](https://www.hindustantimes.com/htcity/cinema/kiran-rao-on-star-kids-vs-outsiders-nepotism-kids-have-the-obstacle-of-perception-101761250983555.html) Awards for the film listed to her credit include the 2025 IIFA Awards for Best Picture and Best Director, the 2025 [Filmfare Award for Best Director](https://www.edgepedia.org/filmfare-award-for-best-director), and the 2025 Dadasaheb Phalke Award for Best Director (Critics).[3](https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/kiran-rao/bio/3030097094/)
## Paani Foundation
In 2016 Rao co-founded Paani Foundation, a non-profit, non-governmental organization, together with [Aamir Khan](https://www.edgepedia.org/aamir-khan). The foundation works with farmers in [Maharashtra](https://www.edgepedia.org/maharashtra) on drought prevention, watershed management, and sustainable and profitable agriculture.[2](https://resources.aima.in/souvenir/Foundation-Day-Souvenir2025.pdf) • [6](https://www.khaleejtimes.com/entertainment/who-is-kiran-rao)
## Personal life
Rao met Aamir Khan on the sets of *Lagaan* in 2001, when she was one of the film's assistant directors, and they married on 28 December 2005 at his farmhouse in [Panchgani](https://www.edgepedia.org/panchgani), a hill station about 250 kilometers from Mumbai.[6](https://www.khaleejtimes.com/entertainment/who-is-kiran-rao) Their son Azad Rao Khan was born in 2011; IMDb records the birth as via surrogate after miscarriages, while Khaleej Times describes it as through in-vitro fertilization.[1](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1444479) • [6](https://www.khaleejtimes.com/entertainment/who-is-kiran-rao) On 3 July 2021 the couple announced their decision to divorce after 15 years of marriage, saying they would co-parent Azad and continue collaborating on films and the foundation.[6](https://www.khaleejtimes.com/entertainment/who-is-kiran-rao) • [8](https://ndtv.in/bollywood/kiran-rao-belongs-to-royal-family-this-famous-actress-is-her-sister-aamir-khan-divorce-2478418)
She is a cousin of the actress [Aditi Rao Hydari](https://www.edgepedia.org/aditi-rao-hydari); both trace their lineage to Raja J. Rameshwar Rao of Wanaparthy.[6](https://www.khaleejtimes.com/entertainment/who-is-kiran-rao) Rao is a vegetarian.[6](https://www.khaleejtimes.com/entertainment/who-is-kiran-rao)
## References
1. [Kiran Rao, IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1444479)
2. [Kiran Rao profile, AIMA Foundation Day Souvenir 2025](https://resources.aima.in/souvenir/Foundation-Day-Souvenir2025.pdf)
3. [Kiran Rao Biography, TV Guide](https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/kiran-rao/bio/3030097094/)
4. [Kiran Rao, Cinegraph](https://cinegraph.org/people/kiran-rao)
5. [Kiran Rao on the importance of subtitles and dubbing for films, NDTV](https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/exclusive-kiran-rao-on-the-importance-of-subtitles-and-dubbing-to-expand-global-reach-of-indian-cinema-6638381)
6. [Who is Kiran Rao?, Khaleej Times](https://www.khaleejtimes.com/entertainment/who-is-kiran-rao)
7. [किरण राव जीवनी, Filmibeat Hindi](https://hindi.filmibeat.com/celebs/kiran-rao/biography.html)
8. [Kiran Rao belongs to royal family, NDTV India](https://ndtv.in/bollywood/kiran-rao-belongs-to-royal-family-this-famous-actress-is-her-sister-aamir-khan-divorce-2478418)
9. [Kiran Rao, Notable People Project](https://notablepeopleproject.org/kiran_rao)
10. [Kiran Rao, studio, Bandra, Mumbai, Platform Magazine](https://www.platform-mag.com/film/up-close-and-personal.html)
11. [Kiran Rao's Commitment to Authentic Storytelling in Indian Cinema, The Times of India](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/kiran-raos-commitment-to-authentic-storytelling-in-indian-cinema/articleshow/123650247.cms)
12. [A Producer's Journey, Waves Bazaar PL Catalogue](https://films.wavesbazaar.com/media/3868/pl-catalogue.pdf)
13. [After 'Laapataa Ladies', Kiran Rao wishes 'she were Rohit Shetty', The Times of India](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/after-laapataa-ladies-kiran-rao-wishes-she-were-rohit-shetty-hes-editing-one-film-hes-directing-the-next-and-promoting-the-third/articleshow/131437082.cms)
14. [Kiran Rao filmography, Bollywood Hungama](https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/celebrity/kiran-rao/filmography/producer/)
15. [From 'Charulata' to 'Parasite': Kiran Rao Recommends Must-Watch Films, The Hollywood Reporter India](https://www.hollywoodreporterindia.com/amp/story/features/columns/from-charulata-to-parasite-kiran-rao-recommends-must-watch-films)
16. [Kiran Rao on star kids vs outsiders, Hindustan Times](https://www.hindustantimes.com/htcity/cinema/kiran-rao-on-star-kids-vs-outsiders-nepotism-kids-have-the-obstacle-of-perception-101761250983555.html)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Screen and stage › Film and television › Films and standalone screen works › Film people and crafts › Directors, producers, and screenwriters › Indian and South Asian film directors › Hindi cinema directors › Contemporary Hindi directors*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Oct 12, 2026; Oct 15, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*
*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*
License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license