Hailing from a sleepy nondescript village called Bhambla, in Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh, Kangana Ranaut has completed most of her schooling in the touristy town of Shimla. Though having studied science at the college level, Kangana since her childhood aspired to be a star, a dream which she later realised.

Born to a schoolteacher mother Asha Ranaut and a businessman father Amardeep Ranaut, Kangana Ranaut's has one elder sister Rangoli and a younger brother

Starting her career as a theatre artist in Delhi, Kangana started her career with Asmita theatre group. She was trained under eminent theatre personality Arvind Gaur. She participated in his theatre workshop at the India Habitat Centre and participated in many plays.

After working in a couple of theatre plays Kangana moved to the tinsel town to try her luck in Bollywood and received the path breaking offer for Mahesh Bhatt's film Gangster. During September 2005 another Film-maker Anurag Basu is said to have signed up Kangana for this movie after spotted her having coffee in a cafe in Mumbai.

The film was a commercial success and got critical appreciation as well and her performance in particular was applauded. This success of Kangana was followed by another acclaimed performance in Woh Lamhe.

After this Kangana did not look back and starred in yet another Anurag Basu's hit film Life In A. Metro as a confused girl who is in search for a real love and in Shakalaka Boom Boom (2007) as an aspiring singer.

Kangana's insightful portrayal in Life in a Metro as a puzzled girl who is looking for a real love, earned her enthusiastic reviews. Kangana made her Tamil debut with the film, Dhaam Dhoom, directed by the late director, Jeeva.