Rana is a Hindu and has been described as "extremely religious". He meditates every day and "abhors" alcohol and tobacco. He was a disciple of Indian spiritual guru Ashutosh Maharaj.
Rana suggested the ring name The Great Khali after the Hindu goddess Kali, who is associated with eternal energy.
Rana's training schedule consists of two hours of weight training, morning and evening, every day, but his diet is unclear, as in some interviews it was claimed he maintains his size on a vegetarian diet and in other interviews it was claimed he consumes vast quantities of chicken. However, he has clarified that he loves vegetarian food, but also consumes meat.
On 26 July 2012 it was reported that Rana underwent a brain surgery due to a tumor on his pituitary gland.
Rana became a naturalized U.S. citizen on 20 February 2014.