Date: May 23, 2025: Ranya Rao is a popular Indian actress and model. She is known for her work in Kannada, Tamil, and Telugu movies. She became famous after her debut in the Kannada film Maanikya in 2014. Ranya’s life story is full of dreams, hard work, and also some controversies.
Early Life
Ranya Rao was born on 28 May 1991 in Chikmagalur, Karnataka. She grew up in a loving family. Her stepfather is K. Ramachandra Rao, a senior police officer in Karnataka. Ranya finished her schooling in Bangalore. She was always interested in acting since she was a child.
After school, Ranya studied engineering at Dayananda Sagar College of Engineering in Bangalore. But her heart was in acting. After her graduation, she joined the Kishore Namit Kapoor Acting Institute in Mumbai to learn acting better. She also learned dance and martial arts.
Ranya Rao Age, Wikipedia, Biography, Net Worth, Husband, Father & Family
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Harshavardhini Ranya Rao |
| Nickname | Ranu |
| Date of Birth | 28 May 1991 (some sources say 1993) |
| Age (2025) | 34 years |
| Birthplace | Chikkamagaluru, Karnataka, India |
| Hometown | Chikkamagaluru, Karnataka |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Zodiac Sign | Gemini |
| Religion | Hinduism |
| Education | BTech (Engineering) from Dayananda Sagar College of Engineering, Bangalore |
| Acting Training | Kishore Namit Kapoor Acting Institute |
| Profession(s) | Actress, Model |
| Debut (Kannada) | Maanikya (2014) as Manasa |
| Debut (Tamil) | Wagah (2016) as Khanum/Kajal |
| Notable Films | Maanikya (2014), Wagah (2016), Pataki (2017) |
| Height | 5' 4" (163 cm) |
| Eye Colour | Brown |
| Hair Colour | Brown |
| Food Habit | Non-vegetarian |
| Marital Status | Married (since November 2024) |
| Husband | Jatin Hukkeri (architect) |
| Family | Stepfather: K. Ramachandra Rao (senior IPS officer, DGP, Karnataka) |
| Controversy | Arrested on 3 March 2025 for smuggling 14.8 kg gold from Dubai at Bengaluru airport |
| Legal Status | Judicial custody for 14 days, under investigation for alleged involvement in gold smuggling |
| Other Facts | Known for roles in Kannada, Tamil, and Telugu films; admired for her beauty and acting skills |
Family and Personal Life
Ranya Rao is married to Jatin Hukkeri, an architect who designs pubs and microbreweries. Her family supported her acting dreams, but after her marriage, she and her husband lived away from her parents. Her stepfather, K. Ramachandra Rao, said that they had not visited since the wedding and that the family was upset after recent events.
Acting Career
Ranya started her acting journey in theatre plays. These plays helped her become a better actress. Her family shared her portfolio pictures with casting coordinators. One of these pictures reached the famous actor and director Sudeep. He gave her a chance in his film Maanikya in 2014.
In Maanikya, Ranya played Manasa, a girl from a rich family and Sudeep’s love interest. Her performance got mixed reviews, but she became well-known in the Kannada film industry. She was even called Sandalwood’s ‘IT’ girl in 2014 because of her beauty and acting skills.
After Maanikya, Ranya acted in other movies. In 2015, she signed her first Tamil film, Wagah, where she played the lead role opposite Vikram Prabhu. In 2017, she acted in the Kannada comedy film Pataki, playing a journalist named Sangeetha, who was the love interest of a police officer played by Ganesh. She also worked in Telugu and Tamil movies, making her a known face in South Indian cinema.
Education
Schooling: Bangalore
Engineering: Dayananda Sagar College of Engineering, Bangalore
Acting Course: Kishore Namit Kapoor Acting Institute, Mumbai
Physical Appearance
Height: 5 feet 4 inches (163 cm)
Eye Colour: Brown
Hair Colour: Brown
Controversy
On March 3, 2025, Ranya Rao was arrested for trying to smuggle gold into India. She was caught at Bengaluru airport after arriving from Dubai. She had hidden 14.2 kg of 24-karat gold around her waist, calves, shoes, and pockets. The gold was worth over ₹12.56 crore.
Ranya told officers she was not carrying anything illegal, but a metal detector beeped. Officers found the gold after checking her. The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) had been watching her because she traveled to Dubai many times. In six months, she went to Dubai 27 times. From 2023 to March 2025, she traveled to Dubai 52 times.
Ranya said this was her first time smuggling gold. She said she got the gold from a man at Dubai airport and used YouTube videos to learn how to hide it. The DRI found more gold jewelry and cash at her home in Bengaluru. She also had a UAE Resident Identity Card. The DRI is checking if she was involved in hawala money transfers.
The case became bigger when the Enforcement Directorate (ED) found that she got large payments from companies and trusts. One trust linked to a Karnataka minister paid ₹40 lakh to her credit card. The ED is checking if this money was for illegal work. Some hawala operators said they used Ranya to sell gold to jewelers in Karnataka.
Ranya was sent to Bangalore Central Prison for 14 days. She was given bail by a special court, but she is still in custody under a strict law called COFEPOSA, which is for people who smuggle gold or foreign currency.
Public Image
Ranya Rao was once loved by fans for her acting and beauty. She worked hard to become a known actress in South Indian movies. But after the gold smuggling case, her image changed. Her family and stepfather said they were disappointed and wanted the law to take its course if she did anything wrong.
Interesting Facts
Ranya is trained in dance and martial arts.
She started her acting journey with theatre plays.
She studied engineering before becoming an actress.
She is known for her roles in Maanikya, Wagah, and Pataki.
She was called the ‘IT’ girl of Sandalwood in 2014.
Conclusion
Ranya Rao’s life is a mix of success and trouble. She became a star in South Indian films with her talent and hard work. But her recent arrest in the gold smuggling case has brought her life under a dark cloud. The investigation is still going on. Fans and the film industry are waiting to see what happens next.