Kiran Rao facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Kiran Rao
Rao at the Lakme Fashion Week in 2017
Born	(1973-11-07) 7 November 1973 (age 51) Bangalore, Karnataka, India
Alma mater	Sophia College for Women Jamia Millia Islamia
Occupation	Film producer film director screenwriter
Years active	2004–present
Organization	Paani Foundation Aamir Khan Productions
Spouse(s)	Aamir Khan ​ ​ (m. 2005; div. 2021)​
Children	1
Relatives	Aditi Rao Hydari (cousin)

Kiran Rao is an Indian filmmaker who makes movies in the Hindi language. She was born on November 7, 1973. She has directed films like Dhobi Ghat (2011) and Laapataa Ladies (2024). In 2016, Kiran also helped start Paani Foundation, which is a group that helps people.

Early Life and Education

Kiran Rao was born in Bengaluru, India, on November 7, 1973. Her father, C R Rao, was an army officer, and her mother is Uma Rao. Kiran grew up in Calcutta (now Kolkata). She went to schools like Loreto House and La Martinière for Girls there.

In 1992, her family moved to Bangalore. Kiran then went to Mumbai for her college studies. She earned a degree in economics from the Sophia College for Women in 1995. Later, she moved to Delhi and got her master's degree from Jamia Millia Islamia.

Family Connections

Kiran Rao is related to actress Aditi Rao Hydari. They are first cousins. Kiran's grandfather and Aditi's maternal grandfather, J. Rameshwar Rao, was a king (Raja) of a large area called Wanaparthy. This area was part of the Nizam of Hyderabad's lands.

Filmmaking Career

Kiran Rao began her career in movies as an assistant director. She worked on the big film Lagaan, which was directed by Ashutosh Gowariker. This movie was even nominated for an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. Aamir Khan was the producer and main actor in Lagaan.

Before Lagaan, Kiran also had a small acting role in the movie Dil Chahta Hai. She also worked as an assistant director for the famous director Mira Nair on the film Monsoon Wedding.

Directing and Producing Films

Kiran Rao wrote and directed the film Dhobi Ghat, which came out in January 2011. This movie was made by Aamir Khan Productions. She has also started working on her next film, which is set in Kolkata.

In 2015, Kiran Rao became the chairperson of the Mumbai Film Festival, also known as MAMI. She also sang a Marathi song called 'Toofan Aalaya'. This song was the anthem for the Satyamev Jayate Water Cup, an event related to water conservation.

In 2024, her film Laapataa Ladies was chosen to represent India at the 97th Academy Awards for the Best International Feature Film category.

Personal Life

Rao and her then husband Aamir Khan promoting Paani Foundation in 2017

Kiran Rao married actor Aamir Khan in December 2005. They first met while working on the film Lagaan, where Kiran was an assistant director. They lived in Bandra, a part of Mumbai.

In December 2011, Kiran and Aamir had a son named Azad Rao Khan. He was born through a surrogate mother. Azad was named after Abul Kalam Azad, a famous Indian leader.

Kiran Rao is a vegan, which means she does not eat any animal products. She also encouraged Aamir Khan to become vegan.

On July 3, 2021, Kiran Rao and Aamir Khan announced that they were getting a divorce after 15 years of marriage. They released a joint statement saying they would continue to raise their son together as co-parents.

Filmography

As a Director

As a Producer

As a Presenter

As a Singer

See also

In Spanish: Kiran Rao para niños