Six must-watch films by Mira Nair, mother of Zohran Mamdani (with Salam)
Assalamu alaikum - During his election run, New York City’s new mayor Zohran Mamdani was often noted for his slick, cinematic videos. That talent isn’t surprising given his mother Mira Nair’s long career as an acclaimed filmmaker, earning praise for stories rooted in South Asia and beyond.
Here are six films from her wide-ranging work that are a great place to start if you’re discovering her through her son’s public profile.
1) Salaam Bombay!
After making documentaries, Mira worked with her friend Sooni Taraporevala to write Salaam Bombay!, a film about street children in Bombay (now Mumbai). It follows Krishna, a boy left to fend for himself, and was filmed with real street kids. The movie mixes harsh realism with compassion and highlights child labour, poverty and human resilience in the city. Salaam Bombay! won the Camera d’Or at Cannes and was nominated for an Oscar in the Best International Feature category.
2) Mississippi Masala
Reuniting with Taraporevala, Mira made a cross-cultural love story starring Denzel Washington and Sarita Choudhury. Mississippi Masala tells of an unexpected romance between an African‑American man and the daughter of an Indian family forced out of Uganda, touching on migration, racism and belonging. It’s one of her gentler, more tender films and earned critical praise and awards, including recognition for its screenplay.
3) Monsoon Wedding
One of her biggest hits, Monsoon Wedding follows a Punjabi family in Delhi during a chaotic wedding, where music, colour and sudden rains contrast with family tensions and hidden troubles. The ensemble cast and the film’s lively depiction of family life won it the Golden Lion at Venice and strong international acclaim.
4) The Namesake
Working again with Taraporevala, Mira adapted Jhumpa Lahiri’s novel about the Ganguli family, Bengali immigrants building life in the United States. This intimate drama explores identity, cultural adjustment and generational differences between parents and their children born abroad. With powerful performances from Tabu, Irrfan Khan and Kal Penn, The Namesake is one of Mira’s more personal and widely praised films.
5) The Reluctant Fundamentalist
A political thriller adapted from Mohsin Hamid’s novel, this post‑9/11 story follows Changez Khan, a Pakistani man whose life on Wall Street changes after the attacks as suspicion and identity politics close in. Riz Ahmed gives a memorable lead performance, and the film thoughtfully examines tolerance, xenophobia and geopolitics.
6) Queen of Katwe
This uplifting biopic tells the true story of Phiona Mutesi, who grew up in the slums of Kampala and became a chess champion. Lupita Nyong’o and David Oyelowo star, with Ugandan newcomer Madina Nalwanga as Phiona. Disney chose Mira to adapt the book, and the film was praised for its heart and performances. Fun fact: Zohran Mamdani appears briefly as an extra and contributed a song under his musical name.
These six films show Mira Nair’s range - from gritty social realism to warm family dramas and thoughtful political stories. They’re a good way to appreciate her craft and the kinds of stories she brings to the screen. Wa alaikum assalam.
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