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Kiran Rao Biography: Age, Career, Family and More

F4U Editorial Desk • Updated October 5, 2026 • 2 min read

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Quick Info

Date of birth7 November 1973

Age51 Years

BirthplaceTelangana, Hyderabad, India

ProfessionFilm Producer, Screenwriter and Director

NationalityIndian

Marital statusDivorced

SpouseAamir Khan (m. 2005; div. 2021)

FamilyNot Known

Kiran Rao Biography

Kiran Rao is an Indian filmmaker known for her work as a producer, screenwriter and director. Born on 7 November 1973 and raised in Kolkata, she has worked

Early life and background
Kiran Rao Khan was born on 7 November 1973 in Telangana and raised in Kolkata. She attended Loreto House in Kolkata for her school education. For higher studies she completed a bachelor’s degree in economics (honours) and later earned a master’s degree in mass communication. Her formative years combined a South Indian birthplace with upbringing in a Bengali city, and she maintains Indian nationality.

Career
Kiran Rao entered the film industry in the early 2000s. Her first credited role in mainstream cinema was as an assistant director on the 2001 film Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India. She later worked as a producer on Taare Zameen Par (2007) and made her feature directorial debut with Dhobi Ghat in 2011. Her credits reflect work across producing, screenwriting and directing, and she has been involved with both narrative films and projects connected to Indian television and festival circuits.

Public profile
Rao has held visible positions within India’s film community; she served as chairperson of the Mumbai Film Festival (MAMI) in 2015. In addition to her behind-the-camera roles, she has performed vocally on occasion, notably singing a Marathi song titled “Toofan Aala,” identified as an anthem for a water-awareness initiative. Personal attributes listed in public records include a height of approximately 160 cm, dark brown eyes and black hair. Public descriptions indicate she follows a vegetarian lifestyle.

Personal life
Rao was married to actor Aamir Khan in 2005; the couple announced their separation in a joint statement in July 2021 and are now divorced. They have a son, Azad Rao Khan, who was born via surrogacy. Rao’s family background is described as Telugu by origin, with relatives connected to Telangana and historical family ties noted in public profiles.

Recent recognition and awards
In 2025 Rao received major industry recognition for the film Laapataa Ladies. At the 25th International Indian Film Academy Awards (IIFA) she was named Best Film and Best Director for Laapataa Ladies. The film and her direction also earned her the Best Director award at the 70th Filmfare Awards that same year.

Latest updates
As of the most recent reports in 2025, Rao continues to be acknowledged for her filmmaking achievements, with Laapataa Ladies adding prominent awards to her career résumé. Public information indicates she remains engaged with the Indian film community in multiple capacities.

Editorial Review and Sources

This F4U profile is written from publicly available career and profile information, then reviewed for clarity before publication. If you spot an outdated detail about Kiran Rao, send the page URL and a reliable correction source to f4udotin@gmail.com.

Reference context: StarsUnfolded

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Recent Work

Laapataa Ladies

Feature film that won Best Film and Best Director at the 25th IIFA and earned Rao Best Director at the 70th Filmfare Awards in 2025.

2025
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Career Highlights

  1. Assistant director on Lagaan: Once Upon A Time In India (2001)
  2. Producer of Taare Zameen Par (2007)
  3. Director of Dhobi Ghat (2011)
  4. Chairperson of the Mumbai Film Festival (MAMI) in 2015
  5. Best Director and Best Film awards for Laapataa Ladies at IIFA 2025; Best Director at Filmfare 2025
Reviewed by F4U Editorial Desk

F4U profile pages are prepared from public career information, checked for readability, and updated when reliable correction sources are shared with the editorial team.

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Frequently Asked Questions

When was Kiran Rao born?

Kiran Rao was born on 7 November 1973.

What is Kiran Rao known for?

Kiran Rao is known for film Producer, Screenwriter and Director.

What is Kiran Rao’s marital status?

Kiran Rao's marital status is listed as Divorced.

Who is Kiran Rao married to?

Kiran Rao is publicly listed as married to Aamir Khan (m. 2005; div. 2021).