Indian-American filmmaker Mira Nair proudly celebrated her son Zohran Mamdani’s remarkable win in the New York City mayoral election. Nair shared director Zoya Akhtar’s Instagram story, which read, “Zohran you beauty,” with hearts and fireworks emojis. Akhtar also noted, “Zohran Mamdani has officially won the NYC mayoral race at 34 years old.”
Born in Uganda, Mamdani is the son of acclaimed historian Mahmood Mamdani and the celebrated filmmaker Mira Nair, known for Salaam Bombay!. Despite being labeled a “nepo baby” by critics, he rose to victory as a symbol of progressive politics.
Running as a young leftist Democrat, Mamdani defeated former governor Andrew Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa. “I am young, Muslim, and a democratic socialist—and I won’t apologize for it,” he told a cheering Brooklyn crowd.
Supporters waved posters and danced to Bad Bunny’s beats as results were announced. Mamdani pledged to fight for working-class New Yorkers and bring real change to the city.
At Cuomo’s subdued gathering, he conceded defeat, warning that New York was heading down a “dangerous road.”
Mamdani’s victory marked a defining moment for the city’s progressive movement.
