New York City — Newly elected Mayor Zohran Mamdani often credits his political beliefs and worldview to his parents — celebrated academic Mahmood Mamdani and acclaimed filmmaker Mira Nair. Their influence, rooted in activism, art, and academia, shaped his progressive vision long before he entered public life.

Born in 1991 in Kampala, Uganda, Zohran Mamdani grew up surrounded by social consciousness and storytelling. His father, Mahmood, was then a professor at Makerere University, while Mira Nair had already gained international attention for her 1988 directorial debut Salaam Bombay! — a film that earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Foreign Language Film.

The couple met in Uganda in the late 1980s, united by a shared passion for social justice and cultural expression. Their o

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