Mira Nair has long attracted attention for her work as a filmmaker, known for exploring the intricate social and cultural landscapes of Indian life. Currently, she is directing a film about Amrita Sher-Gil, a Hungarian-Indian painter from the early 20th century. However, she has noticed a shift in the type of attention she’s receiving during this project.
Ms. Nair remarked that more individuals now approach her, identifying her as the mother of Zohran Mamdani, the mayor of New York City. This recognition comes even from young artists on her film set, who express appreciation for his political views.
Her husband, Mahmood Mamdani, has experienced similar reactions. He recounted an incident at a coffee shop in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, where, upon learning his connection to the mayor, the owner offered him a complimentary beverage, and customers responded with applause.
Ms. Nair reflected on this by saying, “I feel like we have given him to the world.” Sitting cross-legged on the floor of her temporary residence in Amritsar—where part of her film is being shot—Ms. Nair described the touches she added to her apartment, such as small rugs and a Jaipuri block-printed quilt, to make it home-like. Her son’s campaign poster holds a place on a shelf. During conversations, she often refers to him affectionately as “Zohru,” “Z,” or “our boy.”
Her aides had initially been concerned that questions during her interview would focus solely on Mr. Mamdani, despite the planned focus on her film. Yet, the discussion extended beyond the time allotted for her new project, which is temporarily named “Amri” and slated for release in 2027.
As we shared a meal of shrimp curry and rice, I inquired about her thoughts on her son’s achievement of becoming the mayor of a bustling global city. Ms. Nair had traveled from Amritsar to New York to witness his inauguration, documenting the event and visiting his official residence at Gracie Mansion.
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