Who Is Raniya Raanaa?
Raniya Raanaa is a classical Bharatanatyam dancer, actress, and founder of the RAANAA School of Dance. She made her film debut in 2025 as Chinchu Rani in the Malayalam movie Prince and Family, opposite Dileep. Her performance was widely praised for its emotional depth and comedic timing.
Acting Debut: Prince and Family
- Role: Chinchu Rani, a vibrant social media influencer and Prince’s wife.
- Transformation: Gained 8 kg and cut her long classical dancer’s hair to suit the character.
- Reception: Her portrayal of a bubbly, flawed, and emotionally layered woman struck a chord with audiences.
- Director: Binto Stephen; Writer: Sharis Mohammed.
- Streaming: Premiered on ZEE5 on June 20, 2025.
Classical Dance Career
- Training:
- Started Bharatanatyam at age 4
- Studied at Kerala Kalamandalam from age 12.
- Holds an M.A. in Bharatanatyam from St. Teresa’s College, Ernakulam.
- Achievements:
- Founded RAANAA School of Dance at age 18.
- Performed at international festivals.
- Won awards like Nrithya Choodamani, Women’s Pride Award, and Malayala Puraskaram.
- Affiliation: Member of the International Dance Council CID, official partner of UNESCO, based in Paris.
Education & Personal Life
- Born in Kollengode, Palakkad, Kerala.
- Youngest of three sisters, her siblings are an architect and a doctor.
- Parents supported her artistic path wholeheartedly, even switching her to state syllabus so she could qualify for Kalamandalam.
Journey to Cinema
- Faced multiple setbacks: shelved projects, cancelled Tamil films, and a paused PhD in dance due to a film offer that never materialized.
- Despite heartbreak, she rebuilt her dance school post-COVID and kept auditioning.
- Landed Prince and Family after walking into the audition with zero expectations: “I had nothing to lose,” she said.
Philosophy & Impact
Raniya’s story is a testament to resilience and self-belief. She’s not just a performer. She’s a symbol of artistic integrity, body positivity, and emotional authenticity. Her portrayal of Chinchu Rani helped her embrace imperfection and redefine beauty on her own terms.
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