Kiran Rao is back in the director’s chair, and this time, she’s not planning to vanish for another 13 years. After making a splash with Laapataa Ladies, the filmmaker is already dreaming big — and she won’t mind if that means working like a certain blockbuster machine.
Kiran Rao on Her Filmmaking Gap and Rohit Shetty Envy
In a recent conversation, Kiran got candid about her long break between Dhobi Ghat and Laapataa Ladies. “Obviously, I want to just keep directing. Every director just wants to go from film to film. I wish I was Rohit Shetty,” she said. “Like, literally, while he’s editing one film, he’s directing the next film and promoting the third.”
The admission came as a refreshingly honest moment from someone who admits being “almost too careful” about project viability. “If I had the confidence to just do that and not be so worried about the outcome, I would make many more films,” she added. Clearly, the Laapataa Ladies success has given her a new lease of creative energy.
From Supernatural Horror to Noir: Kiran’s Next Lineup
So what’s cooking in Kiran’s mind? Plenty, it turns out. She revealed she’s working on four or five different projects. “The first is sort-of a genre film. It’s kind of supernatural-horror — my version,” she shared. Then there’s a “kind-of sort-of noir film, which is sort of social commentary-ish.” And for those who loved the quirky comedy-drama of Laapataa Ladies, there’s one that’s “a little more Laapataa-esque, which is kind of a comedy drama.”
But the digital world isn’t her comfort zone yet. “There are a couple of shows, too, but I’m really not sure about this whole show thing. I’ve never gotten into it. It’s not a format I know well,” she admitted, adding that she’s been “very spoiled” with the creative freedom she’s enjoyed. Producing for streaming, with notes from all sides, doesn’t quite appeal to her independent spirit.
Her Favourite Filmmaker and Life With Aamir Khan
When asked who manages to balance artistic integrity with mass entertainment, Kiran didn’t hesitate. She named her favourite filmmaker (whose name was not disclosed in the conversation that made it to print) and said, “He does it brilliantly. He’s my favourite filmmaker. I absolutely love him.” Fans are sure to start guessing.
On a personal note, Kiran and Aamir Khan may have parted ways romantically in 2021 after 16 years of marriage, but they remain committed to co-parenting their son Azad. No drama, just a modern family vibe — exactly the kind of grounded energy Kiran brings to her work. With so many projects in the pipeline, it looks like she’s finally ready to embrace the Rohit Shetty level hustle. Ab bas, production shuru ho jaye!