For Zohran Mamdani, Mom Mira Nair’s Films Were a Formative Influence

by

Growing up, Zohran Mamdani found it difficult when his movie-making mother Mira Nair would be away for extended periods. As an only child who shared a special bond with her, he treasured the time they spent together.

However, he accepted her being away for the duration of one project – “The Reluctant Fundamentalist”, a movie directed by an Indian-American filmmaker during the time Mamdani was a 20-year-old sophomore at Bowdoin.

Typically, he dislikes me being absent – he wouldn’t urge me to go watch that romantic comedy, as recalled by the director of Monsoon Wedding, during our conversation in 2013 at the Riverside Drive apartment where she and her husband Mahmood brought up their son. However, on this occasion, he said, “Mamma, you can do it.” She referred to Zohran as “my breath, my energy” while directing the film.

The movie titled “The Reluctant Fundamentalist” presents a delicate equilibrium between portraying relatable American sentiments of rage and sorrow following 9/11 and its consequences, while simultaneously showcasing a broader global view where these events had profoundly contrasting impacts. Interestingly, this film resonated deeply with the protagonist, Mamdani, serving as a covert guide to the factors that influenced his worldview.

According to Mohsin Hamid’s novel, the movie features Riz Ahmed portraying a Pakistani immigrant who rises in Wall Street but faces unjust arrest following 9/11, despite his innocence. Afterwards, he returns to his home country where he is later suspected of kidnapping an American tourist by the CIA. The movie leaves the truth of this act uncertain. Most of the film revolves around Ahmed’s character and Liev Schreiber’s journalist-CIA officer discussing topics like the origins of prejudice and reasons for fundamentalism. The film subtly challenges viewers to ponder how an extremist might be created, hinting that Western mistreatment and bias could play a role.

The THR review praised Nair for avoiding demonizing either Americans or Pakistanis, instead highlighting their shared aspects. It also acknowledged how the film poignantly addresses the profound cultural gap in people’s perspectives brought about by the 9/11 tragedy. The reviewer described it as a thoughtful movie that necessitates introspection and focus on its political themes. In our interview, Nair expressed her intention to explore the complex emotions surrounding 9/11, encompassing shock, horror, disbelief, but also acknowledging varied reactions from people.

Nair didn’t explain exactly which aspects of the movie struck a chord with her young son at the time. However, his eagerness to watch his mother advocate for a Muslim immigrant of color from the Global South who was misunderstood by a Western power hints at what both young Mamdani valued and was influenced by, as his mother believed that America, despite its welcoming nature, could sometimes be suspicious of individuals like them. This message, he now shares during his political campaigns.

In a recent interview with NPR’s Morning Edition, he expressed that many Muslims in this country are familiar with such defamatory remarks when living publicly. This contributes significantly to why many feel safer residing in obscurity. He also stated that, like the film does indirectly, his aim for this campaign is to shift the periphery into the center of attention.

As a passionate gamer with roots deeply embedded in the South Asian and Muslim communities of New York City, I’m aiming to make history by becoming the first Muslim and first South Asian mayor this vibrant city has ever seen. For many of us who share these identities, my candidacy represents the realization of a long-held dream that once seemed like an unattainable pipedream, especially during the tense times following 9/11 when our communities were often targeted and marginalized. Now, I’m running on a platform that aims to make this city more affordable and livable for everyone.

Following an inventive election, the presumptive Democratic nominee will now compete against both Eric Adams, who was once a Democratic mayor and recently became independent, and Republican Curtis Sliwa. Last week, it seemed that they had outpaced favorite Andrew Cuomo in the primary. On Tuesday, the final count taking ranked-choice voting into account is expected to be unveiled.

The candidate has faced criticism for the statement “globalize the intifada,” which some Jews interpret as advocating for the annihilation of Israel and inciting violence against them globally. During the campaign, Mamdani has refused to disassociate himself from this statement, telling NBC News that while he doesn’t use such language, he also believes it is not the mayor’s job to regulate speech. Mamdani is known for his strong opposition to Israel and was among the founders of the Students for Justice in Palestine chapter at Bowdoin. He was arrested at a pro-Palestinian rally a week following the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks. Despite his opinions on Israel, Mamdani asserts that he wants to address Jewish New Yorkers worried about antisemitism by acknowledging it as a significant issue and promising to take action against it.

In our conversation, Nair shared some insights into the Mamdani-Nair family’s story following the 9/11 attacks in New York, an event that occurred when Mamdani, a nine-year-old boy, had recently moved to New York with his parents from Uganda. It’s worth noting that Mamdani’s father, Mahmood Mamdani, is a well-known anthropologist who was born in the Indian province of Gujarat but grew up in Uganda.

Every evening, we’d go for walks with my father-in-law and mother-in-law (who lived with us, they were Mamdani’s grandparents),” Nair explained. “A sense of unease arose, as if we were being scrutinized,” she continued, “and it seemed that this home, once so familiar and welcoming, had become an unfamiliar and uncomfortable place.

For many South Asians growing up in New York City during that time, the experience was a shared one, molding the friendships of individuals like Mamdani, who were involved in the entertainment industry. Hari Kondabolu, a stand-up comic from Queens with Indian roots and a writer for the FX show “Totally Biased with W. Kamau Bell,” expresses a similar sentiment post-9/11. As he put it to WABC News, “You start to question, is this our city too.” Kondabolu and Mamdani have been friends since their days at Bowdoin College.

Republicans have already made Zohran Mamdani a focus of their criticisms. After his apparent primary win last week, House Speaker Mike Johnson shared that “the victory of radical, self-proclaimed socialist Zohran Mamdani serves as yet another example of what the Democrats represent today. This is an extreme and utterly irrational stance.

The impact of Nair’s work and “The Reluctant Fundamentalist” is evident in Mamdani’s later works as well, particularly when addressing another international concern.

The contender has strongly condemned Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is a Hindu nationalist and has adopted a tough stance towards Pakistan. During his primary campaign, Mamdani accused the prime minister of being a “war criminal” for failing to prevent deadly anti-Muslim riots in the Indian state of Gujarat in 2002, when Modi was serving as governor there.

In a 2013 interview, Nair expressed similar criticisms towards Indian nationalism and Indian-centric views, stating that the cultural perceptions of Pakistan in her home country influenced her decision to direct “The Reluctant Fundamentalist“.

In a 2013 conversation, Nair shared similar reservations about Indian nationalism and India-focused perspectives, attributing her choice to direct “The Reluctant Fundamentalist” to the cultural mindset towards Pakistan in her homeland.

Nair stated that the inspiration for creating the film stemmed from her travels to Pakistan at the end of 2004 and beginning of 2005, which deeply affected her. Unlike the portrayals of Pakistan found in newspapers or what Indians are typically exposed to, it was nothing like she had experienced. Her father, who was brought up in Lahore before Partition, when it became part of Pakistan, played a role in this.”

“Nair explained that the film’s creation was sparked by her visits to Pakistan towards the end of 2004 and beginning of 2005, which left a profound impact on her. The Pakistan she encountered was far removed from the one depicted in news articles or what is usually shown to Indians, or even considered off-limits to see.”

Her father, who grew up in Lahore before Partition, had a part in this.

In addition to The Reluctant Fundamentalist, Mamdani found defining aspects in another film, Mississippi Masala. Directed by Mira Nair, this romantic drama featuring Denzel Washington tells the story of a Ugandan man and an Indian woman. The film was inspired by Nair’s own marriage to Mahmood and released in cinemas when Zohran Mandani was just an infant. It was a significant work in their household during his upbringing, according to Nair.

As a gamer, I can’t help but feel the impact of the label “Fundamentalist” has hit me hardest. Nair compared the movie to a Rorschach test, suggesting that the same assessment could potentially be applied to my political campaign, twelve years after the film was released.

She stated that the primary purpose behind creating the movie was its dialogue. While some may adore it, others might not, but the conversations in the film undeniably captivate viewers. It seems to reflect the audience’s thoughts and perspectives.

Read More

2025-07-02 00:55