Name: Kangana Ranaut or Kangna

Astrological Sign: Aries

Date of Birth: March 23, 1987

Writing Hand: Right Handed

Height: 5'8''

Body Piercing: Belly Button and nose

Birth City: Himachal Pradesh-Bhambla area of hilltown Mandi district.

Native Town: Dehra Dun. Kangana lived there practically all of her life.

Kangna Ranaut comes from the hill town of Manali in Himachal Pradesh. She did her schooling from Shimla. Studying as a science student in Shimla, Kangna had never thought that one day she would work in a film under a reputed banner in Bollywood. But she did harbour a dream of acting, a dream that brought her to Delhi where she learnt acting while doing theatre.

Ranaut's father is a businessman and her mother is a school teacher. Ranaut has an elder sister named Rangoli who survived an acid attack in late 2006. She is said to be dating an unknown man whom she met in South Africa.

Kangana moved to Mumbai to try her luck in movies. Her lucky break did not come straightaway, but after a while when Kangna had already tried unsuccessfully to make an entry into the tinsel town.

It happened in September 2005, when Kangna was drinking coffee with one of her friends at a café in Mumbai. Filmmaker Anurag Basu , who had already directed a successful film, Murder , was keeping an open eye for the heroine of his next movie Gangster .It was there Basu spotted Kangna and called her for the audition. Despite the fact that Kangna is not from a filmi background and has no real acting experience, Basu decided to cast her in his film. The rest, as they say, is history.

The film was critically and commercially successful, her performance was especially applauded. This was followed by another acclaimed performance in Woh Lamhe (2006). Kangana was announced heroine of Jeeva's forthcoming Tamil venture, Dhaam Dhoom on February 19, 2007. Her performance in a May 2007 release 'Life in a Metro' as a confused girl who is looking for a real love is commendable.

Awards

• 2006: Star Screen Award Most Promising Newcomer - Female for Gangster
• 2007: Global Indian Film Awards , Best Female Debut for Gangster
• 2007: Filmfare Best Debut Award , for Gangster
• 2007: Filmfare Face of the Year Award
• 2007: Max Stardust Award , Superstar of Tomorrow - Female for Gangster
• 2007: Zee Cine Awards , Most Promising Debut- Female for Gangster
• 2007: IIFA, IIFA star debut for Gangster
• 2007: AIFA Awards: Best Debut (Male/Female) - Gangster