How Mira Nair's son Zohran Mamdani, who now could become New York Mayor, helped cast Kal Penn in The Namesake

Indian-American filmmaker Mira Nair has been renowned for films like Salaam Bombay!, Vanity Fair and many more. One of her critically acclaimed, artistically rich films, The Namesake, became the topic of discussion on social media when she revealed that Kal Penn was cast as Gogol because her son, Zohran Mamdani, recommended him.In the viral clip on X, Nair narrates the journey of casting the “goofy” guy, Kal Penn, in a sincere role. Describing the casting, the 67-year-old reveals how her son actively participated in the process since he was 12–13 years old. When she was chasing movie stars for the role of Gogol, Zohran suggested watching Harold and Kumar Go To White Castle.After looking at the poster, Mira’s first impression was, “How can I like this goofy guy?” However, she decided to watch it anyway because Zohran recommended it—and she liked it.

When she contacted Kal Penn, he got the part. Penn was known then as a prolific comedic actor, but no one before her had imagined him as a genuine dramatic lead. Subsequently, Nair realised that Zohran’s piece of advice was both valuable and beautiful.Zohran Mamdani lent a helping hand to his mother, Mira Nair, in making the cult classic The Namesake. Not only did he suggest the casting, but he also advised Nair to choose the film instead of the Harry Potter franchise.

In an interview with Vir Sanghvi at the Jaipur Literature Festival in 2018, Nair had opened up about the dilemma she faced—whether to direct the fifth instalment of the Harry Potter series or The Namesake. Zohran was the one who made her change her mind, stating that anyone could direct a Potter film, but only she could direct the Irrfan Khan starrer.“I asked my 14-year-old son about it,” she stated. “He told me there are many good directors who can make Harry Potter, but there is only one director who can make The Namesake.”What many didn’t know at the time was that Kal Penn had also been pursuing The Namesake from his end. In a 2007 interview, he revealed that he had tried to acquire the rights to the novel himself before learning Mira had already secured them. Determined to be part of the film, he began calling her office repeatedly in hopes of landing an audition. Ironically, it was Zohran and his friend Sam’s fanboy enthusiasm for Harold and Kumar that finally convinced Nair to give Penn a shot.Kal Penn’s connection to the role ran deep. Like Gogol, he was born to Indian immigrant parents in the US. And while Penn didn’t legally change his name like Gogol did, he adopted “Kal Penn” as a stage name—splitting his real first name, Kalpen—to navigate a Hollywood where “ethnic names” were considered a liability. “It was a pragmatic decision,” he said. “Not because of cultural shame, but because producers told me it would help me get roles.

”Meanwhile, Harold and Kumar—far from being a throwaway stoner film—was a quiet revolution in American cinema. It was one of the first mainstream Hollywood comedies to feature Asian-American leads without reducing them to stereotypes. For a generation of South Asians growing up in the US, it offered something new: protagonists who looked like them, talked like them, and were allowed to be ridiculous, flawed, and fully human.In the end, The Namesake became a poignant and unforgettable portrait of identity, migration, and generational change. And it started with a young Zohran Mamdani convincing his mother to see beyond the poster of a weed comedy—and into the heart of a character no one else could yet see.That same instinct—for story, for symbolism, for breaking the mould—is now on full display in a very different arena. Today, Zohran Mamdani stands on the cusp of becoming the first Indian-origin mayor of New York City. The teenager who once helped shape a landmark film about belonging is now poised to reshape the very city where that story unfolded. From casting Kal Penn to outmanoeuvring Andrew Cuomo—Zohran’s journey has always been about seeing potential where others don’t.