Mira Nair: podcast appearances and interviews

Mira Nair is an Indian American filmmaker born on October 15, 1957. She initially began her career making documentaries before transitioning to feature films. Nair is known for directing independent drama films often addressing political themes or controversial topics. She produces her films through her company Mirabai Films. Her feature-length directorial debut was Salaam Bombay! in 1988, which earned nominations for an Academy Award, a BAFTA Award, and a Golden Globe Award. Her subsequent film Mississippi Masala released in 1991 was nominated for the Independent Spirit Award for Best Film. Nair has directed notable films including Monsoon Wedding, Vanity Fair, The Namesake, and Queen of Katwe. Monsoon Wedding in 2001 made her the first female director to win the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival. It was also nominated for the BAFTA Award for Best International Feature Film and was the highest-grossing Indian film in North America until 2017. Born and raised in India, Nair moved to the United States to attend Harvard University. She was married to photographer Mitch Epstein in the 1980s and later lived in Uganda with her second husband, political scientist Mahmood Mamdani. They subsequently returned to the United States. Her son, Zohran Mamdani, has served as Mayor of New York City since 2026.