Kiran Rao, is originally from Hungerford Street, Kolkata. She was born on November 9th, in 1974. She did her schooling from Loreto House and then La Martiniere for Girls, Kolkata. She is very fluent in Bengali.

Kiran Rao started off as an assistant director in Gowariker's Lagaan. The movie was nominated in the Best Foreign Film category in the 74th Academy Awards. Incidentally, she met hubby Aamir Khan on the sets of Lagaan. She was also an assistant director on Swades- We the People (2004), Saathiya (2002) and Mira Nair's Monsoon Wedding.

Kiran and Aamir tied the knot in 2005, December 28th in a civil ceremony in Bandra. Later they had a reception in Panchgani, which is where she met Aamir Khan and they fell in love. More than 200 people, including Rani Mukerji, Sachin Tendulkar, Deepa and Ketan Mehta, Tanvi and Baba Azmi attended the ceremony. Aamir's children Junaid and Ira, from his first spouse Rina Dutta, were also present.

Kiran turned associate producer with Aamir's home production Taare Zameen Par in 2007. She has gone on to produce Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na and Peepli Live. She even handled the promotional events for Peepli Live.

Kiran Rao turned director with Dhobi Ghat. The movie stars Monica Dogra, Prateik Babbar and Aamir Khan himself. The movie premiered at the 35th Toronto International Film Festival, worldwide. The movie won great reviews but failed to woo the masses.

Kiran Rao is a big fan of alternative cinema and world movies. Her favourites include Japanese director Akira Kurosawa.