Kangana Amardeep Ranaut was born on 20th March 1984 in Bhambla, a village in Mandi District, Himachal Pradesh, India. She lived in Shimla and Chandigarh before moving to New Delhi. Her father Amardeep was a businessman while her mother Asha was a schoolteacher. She has an older sister called Rangoli and a younger brother, Akshit.
Kangana moved to Mumbai to try her luck in movies. She was unsuccessful for quite a while, until she received the offer for Gangster. 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.