NYC Mayor, Zohran Mamdani Was Mira Nair's First Choice For Ishaan Khatter's Role In 'A Suitable Boy'

When Monsoon Wedding was released in 2001, it brought a fresh perspective on an essence that was unapologetically Indian yet universally resonant. The film will be completing its silver jubilee next year, and ahead of that, the film's director, Mira Nair, has reflected on the cultural touch in projects. Not only that, but she also reflected on her choice for Ishaan Khatter's role in A Suitable Boy and revealed that she initially wanted the now-NYC mayor, Zohran Mamdani, to play the role.

 Mira Nair gets candid about her first choice for A Suitable Boy

Mira Nair recently spoke with The Hollywood Reporter India and revealed an interesting casting choice for A Suitable Boy that she wished had made it to the screen. During the interaction, Mira reflected on her son, Zohran Mamdani, who became the mayor of New York City after a Bollywood-fuelled campaign. When asked if Zohran ever considered a career in films, she stated:

"No, no. I mean, I literally offered him the role of the suitable boy — the main role in A Suitable Boy. And again, like with many of my things, if I need an actor to read opposite an actress or something, and if he's home, he's always been willing. But for A Suitable Boy — I really wanted him to play that role. And he didn't....He said, 'A lot of people die to be offered these things, but I don't.' He was the most reluctant actor. He never wanted it, and I had to accept that."

In the same conversation, Mira Nair also expressed gratitude that he never needed to be an actor. She revealed that while she saw his charisma and the ability to connect with people on a very direct level, she never had a chance to get Zohran Mamdani to do a film. She was quoted as saying:

"But I've got no chance of getting him into a movie. We threw a shirt on him for Queen of Katwe — besides the music he did — but yes, there is a shot where he plays a kid in that film, briefly. Otherwise, no. Now there's no chance. He never wanted to, but I'd love it if he did. I'd love it."

Zohran Mamdani was involved in Mira Nair's project, Monsoon Wedding

After Zohran Mamdani won the mayoral elections, actor, Namit Malhotra shared unseen photos from the Monsoon Wedding shoot, which featured Zohran. This sparked everyone's interest in Zohran's involvement in the film. Mira Nair revealed that the workshop was for the investors. She recalled how Zohran performed the role of 'P.K. Dubey' and even dressed himself accordingly. Reflecting on how one morning, Zohram Mamdani had come back home with the haircut to match the character's vibe and stated:

"The workshop is to sell to investors, so you have the orchestra, the singers, the actors — everyone at microphones. Zohran performed P.K. Dubey, and Ali Sethi — who is like a son to me — did the singing. I remember that morning: Zohran came home with a really cool haircut. I said, 'Yeh kaise aaya beta?’ And he said, ‘Aaj performance hai, we have to do the workshop.’ He picked up a polka-dotted shirt — I don’t know where from — and dressed himself a little chalu, like P.K."

In the same conversation, Mira Nair revealed that when they started working on Monsoon Wedding, Zohran would often accompany her. She revealed that Zohran's performance of 'P.K.' impressed the producers with the politician "leaping on tables, doing the whole thing. When it ended, it was superb, this dual act with Ali." She shared that they were so amazed by Zohran's energy that one of the producers even said, "Who is that boy? We're not going on Broadway without that boy."

What are your thoughts on Mira Nair's revelation about Zohran Mamdani?

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