Topics: Celebrity, Entertainment, Parenting, Politics, Social Media, TV And Film, US News, World News, Zohran Mamdani
Zohran Mamdani has dominated headlines after being elected New York City mayor this week - but did you know he has a very famous mother?
That's right, the 34-year-old democratic socialist actually has some surprising ties to the entertainment industry, and even once appeared in a Disney movie himself. But before we get into that, in case you missed it, Mamdani bagged the win against former Democrat governor Andrew Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa.
He impressively secured the victory with more than 50 percent of the vote, while Cuomo, 67, finished second with just over 40 percent, and 71-year-old Sliwa received just over seven percent, as reported by The Guardian.
Describing himself as 'Donald Trump's worst nightmare,' Mamdani is set to be the Big Apple's most liberal mayor in generations.
Advert
And as well as the horde of fans that are celebrating Mamdani for his historic win, people are just now realising that his mother actually has a devoted fanbase of her own.
That's right, Mamdani's mother is none other than award-winning Indian-American filmmaker, Mira Nair.
Nair is a highly successful filmmaker, having directed movies including Salaam Bombay!, Monsoon Wedding, The Namesake and Vanity Fair.
Mississippi Masala (1991), which starred Denzel Washington and Sarita Choudhury, won Best Original Screenplay at the Venice Film Festival.
Meanwhile, her breakthrough 1998 film Salaam Bombay! won the Caméra d’Or at Cannes and received an Academy Award nomination.
The 68-year-old has a career spanning four decades, and her feature films are known for dealing with controversial subject matter including cultural identity and diaspora.
In 2016, Nair directed the Disney movie Queen of Katwe, with Mamdani helping out behind the scenes and even getting a cameo moment.
While some people were aware of the family connection others are just now realising in the wake of Mamdani's election and have rushed to social media to express their shock.
One Twitter user penned: "Zohran Mamdani is a nepo baby and his mom is Mira Nair??? director of The Namesake and Mississippi Masala? Did i just read that correctly?? Loving his lore tbh."
While a second joked: "Thank you Miira Nair for creating Zohran Mamdani AND Mississippi Masala what did we do to deserve you."
And a third gushed: "Mira nair’s son is the mayor of NEW YORK CITY!!! I admire that woman so much and I'm so happy!!!!
"We need more excellent, strong, feminist mothers raising excellent, strong, morally strong, feminist sons. Zohran Mamdani!!!"
Another chimed in with: "Just for fun, it's time to rewatch Mississipi Masala, the debut film directed by Mira Nair, mother of Zohran Mamdani. A young Denzel Washington and Sarita Choudhury. Underrated on-screen romance of the early '90s!"
And others added: "Whaaaat? Zohran Mamdani was Mira Nair's son? THE Mira Nair???" and: "Zohran Mamdani's mother, Mira Nair, directed one of the greatest Indian movies ever made, Salaam Bombay."
Astonished, someone else quipped: "Maaan so Zohran’s mother is Mira Nair who apparently is an ICON filmmaker behind Kama Sutra, Monsoon Wedding, Queen of Katwe.
"Can you imagine the family convos growing up??? This level of talent and intellect is insane for one bloodline. Okay am done obsessing."
