‘Zohran Mamdani you beauty’: Mom Mira Nair reacts to son’s win, had once called him ‘not an American’; Spike Lee, Mark Ruffalo share wishes

In an earlier interview, Mira had spoken about her son’s interest in politics and was confident he could make a difference. Answering if she advised him against joining films, Mira had said, “He should do whatever he wants to do. I do not see it in him to make movies. He is very involved with current affairs, politics, and political issues. I think he can be engaged in the world in some way to make a difference. He is very, very interested in that.”

She had added that he’s not a ‘firang’. “We are not firangs at all. He is very much like us. He is not an Uhmericcan (American) at all. He was born in Uganda, raised between India and America. He is at home in many places. He thinks of himself as a Ugandan and as an Indian,” Mira had told Hindustan Times. “He is a very chaalu (smart) fellow. We speak only Hindustani at home.”

Hollywood congratulates Mamdani

Ever since Donald Trump came back to power, a not-so-silent war has been going on between him and Hollywood. His rift with talk-show hosts is the most apparent example of this, and most of them have been covering Mamdani’s campaign very closely. Democrat Andrew Cuomo, who was going head to head with Mamdani, has been targeted by Jimmy Kimmel and Stephen Colbert many times during the monologues of their shows; Jimmy Kimmel Live and The Late Show.

ALSO READ: Stephen Colbert was surprised that his number one show was cancelled: ‘This isn’t my choice, don’t want to be alone’

Now the election is over, and the Highest 2 Lowest director Spike Lee was one of the first ones to congratulate Mamdani with a post on Instagram. The picture had Lee and Mamdani posing in front of a mural that said, “Do the Right Thing.” In the caption of the picture, Lee used the lyrics of the famous Ray Charles song ‘Hit the Road Jack’ and wrote, “Start packing. ‘Hit Da Road Jack And Don’t Come Back No Mo’ No Mo’ Hit Da Road Jack.’”

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Spike Lee (@officialspikelee)

Actors Mark Ruffalo and Cynthia Nixon, who, like many other actors, phone-banked for Mamdani, also took to their social media and posted videos on their Instagram stories. On Halloween, Cynthia of Sex and the City fame had even carved ‘Vote Zohran’ on a pumpkin and posted a picture with it.

(Photo: Mira Nair’s Instagram Stories)

She had been actively a part of Mamdani’s campaign and participated in many rallies too. Others from the industry, like model Emily Ratajkowski, comedian Ilana Glazer, and actor/comedian Bowen Yang, also posted congratulations on their stories after supporting Mamdani throughout the campaign.

(Photo: Mark Ruffalo’s Instagram Stories)

(Photo: Cynthia Nixon’s Instagram Stories)

Born in Uganda, Mamdani is the son of renowned historian Mahmood Mamdani and Mira Nair, who has directed Salaam Bombay, The Namesake and Monsoon Wedding, among others.