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Peeling back layers: Kiran Rao on stories, women, and change
A director, screenwriter, and producer, Kiran Rao has spent over two decades shaping the landscape of contemporary Indian cinema.
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Bulbul Mankani Dasanjh - Sat, 20, Sep 2025
- 15:17 EDT
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Kiran Rao / Bulbul Mankani Dasanjh/India Abroad
Kiran Rao has always been a storyteller with a difference. From her debut feature Dhobi Ghat — an intimate portrait of Mumbai’s restless soul — to her recent wonderful Laapataa Ladies (two brides swapped in a train by a veil), she has carved out a cinematic space that is both tender and politically aware.
Known for her eye for detail, her quiet courage in championing new narratives, and her commitment to socially conscious cinema, Rao is one of India’s most distinctive directorial voices.
A director, screenwriter, and producer, Kiran Rao has spent over two decades shaping the landscape of contemporary Indian cinema. She began behind the scenes—as an assistant director on classics like Lagaan—before stepping into her own as a filmmaker unafraid to experiment with form and theme.
Today, she is recognized not just for her films but also for championing independent cinema and giving fresh talent the platform to thrive. She also supports philanthropic work like Paani Foundation.
She delivered the final session of the recently concluded SALA 2025 at Menlo College. The gracious ‘gentle feminist’ took time out to speak with India Abroad. Excerpts:
Kiran Rao at the final session of South Asian Literature & Art (SALA) Festival in Atherton, California. / Bulbul Mankani Dasanjh/India Abroad
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