Kiran Rao mourns pet cat Miri: 'One hella cool cat' rests at farm
Synopsis
Kiran Rao's tribute to her cat Miri is more than a celebrity pet post — it follows a video of Aamir Khan and a visibly upset Azad leaving a Mumbai pet clinic the day before, which had already set social media speculating. The filmmaker's detailed, deeply personal farewell reveals a bond that had been publicly documented since at least February, when Miri was dubbed her 'paramedic' during a chikungunya recovery.
Key Takeaways
Filmmaker Kiran Rao announced the passing of her pet cat Miri on Sunday, 17 August .
Rao described Miri as 'one hella cool cat' and confirmed she is now buried at their farm , surrounded by birdsong.
A day earlier, Aamir Khan and son Azad Rao Khan were spotted leaving a Mumbai pet clinic, with Azad visibly emotional.
Miri had previously appeared in Rao's social media posts, including in February when she was called an 'excellent paramedic' during Rao's chikungunya recovery.
Kiran Rao's film Laapataa Ladies was India's official entry for the Best International Feature Film at the 97th Academy Awards .
Filmmaker Kiran Rao on Sunday, 17 August paid an emotional tribute to her beloved pet cat Miri, announcing the feline's passing on social media. Rao, best known for directing Laapataa Ladies and Dhobi Ghat, described Miri as 'one hella cool cat' and shared that she is now 'resting in peace' at their farm, surrounded by birdsong.
The Tribute
In a heartfelt post, Rao recalled Miri's distinctive personality with warmth and specificity. 'Miri Cat left us yesterday to bask in eternal sunshine and have an endless supply of birds and critters to chase. She was one hella cool cat,' she wrote.
Rao added: 'Named for her peppery coat, Miri was a consummate hunter who liked to drink from nice glasses, and used the elevator to travel up and down in the building. She had the softest-ever coat, and generously collected her hafta of scratches and brushing from all of us and anyone who passed through the house. And what she loved doing most was lying around in dappled sunlight, stretched out like the queen that she was... She has our hearts forever.'
The Day Before: Family Spotted at Pet Clinic
The tribute came a day after Rao, her ex-husband and Bollywood star Aamir Khan, and their son Azad Rao Khan were seen leaving a pet clinic in Mumbai on Saturday. A video from the sighting showed Azad visibly emotional while Aamir was seen carrying a pet carrier, prompting widespread concern among fans and social media users who feared the family had lost a pet.
The subsequent tribute from Kiran Rao confirmed those fears. Notably, this is not the first time Miri had appeared in Rao's public posts — in February, when the filmmaker was recovering from chikungunya, she had shared a photograph with Miri, affectionately calling her an 'excellent paramedic' who was monitoring her fever.
Miri's Place in the Family
Miri was evidently a beloved presence across the household, with Rao's tribute suggesting the cat was well-known to frequent visitors as well. The detail that Miri used the building's elevator independently and insisted on drinking from 'nice glasses' painted a picture of a cat with a strong personality — one that left a clear imprint on those around her.
Rao confirmed that Miri has been laid to rest on their farm, where, as she put it, the cat is now surrounded by the birdsong she so loved to chase in life.
Kiran Rao: Professional Context
Kiran Rao's directorial career spans two celebrated films — Dhobi Ghat (2011) and Laapataa Ladies (2024). The latter was selected as India's official entry for the Best International Feature Film category at the 97th Academy Awards, marking a significant milestone in her filmmaking journey. As she navigates this personal loss, her public tribute to Miri has drawn an outpouring of condolences from fans and fellow members of the film industry.
Point of View
But this one arrived with context — a video of Aamir Khan and a visibly distressed Azad outside a Mumbai clinic had already set social media on edge before Rao posted a word. What stands out is the specificity of Rao's tribute: the elevator commutes, the 'nice glasses,' the hafta of scratches — details that read less like a public post and more like a private memory made public. It is a reminder that for public figures, even grief plays out in a shared space, and that the line between personal loss and public narrative has effectively disappeared in the social media era.
NationPress
17 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Miri, the cat mourned by Kiran Rao?
Miri was Kiran Rao's pet cat, known for her 'peppery coat' and lively personality. She had appeared in Rao's social media posts previously, including in February when Rao called her an 'excellent paramedic' during her own chikungunya recovery.
When did Kiran Rao announce Miri's passing?
Kiran Rao shared the tribute on Sunday, 17 August, confirming that Miri had passed away the previous day. Miri has been laid to rest at the family's farm.
Why were Aamir Khan and Azad Rao Khan seen at a pet clinic?
On Saturday, a day before Kiran Rao's tribute, Aamir Khan and their son Azad Rao Khan were spotted leaving a pet clinic in Mumbai, with Azad appearing visibly upset and Aamir carrying a pet carrier. The visit was later connected to Miri's passing.
What are Kiran Rao's notable films?
Kiran Rao has directed two films — Dhobi Ghat (2011) and Laapataa Ladies (2024). Laapataa Ladies was selected as India's official entry for the Best International Feature Film category at the 97th Academy Awards.
What did Kiran Rao write in her tribute to Miri?
Rao wrote that Miri 'left us yesterday to bask in eternal sunshine,' describing her as a 'consummate hunter' who loved dappled sunlight, drank from nice glasses, and used the building elevator. She concluded: 'She has our hearts forever.'
