Biography
Kiran Rao is an Indian film producer, director and screenwriter who works primarily in Hindi cinema. She was born on 7 November 1973 in Bengaluru and studied economics at Sophia College for Women in Mumbai before completing a master's degree in mass communication at Jamia Millia Islamia in New Delhi.
Rao began her career as an assistant director on films including Monsoon Wedding (2001), Lagaan (2001) and Swades (2004). As a producer she has worked on Delhi Belly (2011), Dangal (2016), Secret Superstar (2017) and Laal Singh Chaddha (2022). She directed and wrote Dhobi Ghat (2011) and directed Laapataa Ladies (2024). She is also credited as director and writer on the anthology film Lust Stories 3 (2026). In 2016 she co-founded the non-profit Paani Foundation.
