Filmmaker-producer Mira Nair recently revealed in an interview that she had offered the lead role in her web series ‘A Suitable Boy’ to her son Zohran Mamdani, who has now become the first Muslim mayor of New York City.
Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter India, Mira Nair said, “I actually offered him the role of the suitable boy – the lead role – in ‘A Suitable Boy’. And like a lot of my things, if I have an actor reading for an actress, and if he’s at home, he’s always ready. But for ‘A Suitable Boy’ – I really wanted him to play that role. And he didn’t. She said, ‘A lot of people crave these things, but not me.’ He was the most hesitant actor. He never wanted to, and I had to accept that.”
Nair, 68, also revealed that she was so impressed by Zohran’s acting skills that she wanted him to play the lead role in her film A Suitable Boy – a role which was later played by Ishaan Khattar.
Nair described how Zoharan, the current mayor-elect of New York City, participated during the development of the musical adaptation of the 2001 film. He said, “Yes, he was involved in it. In the early years, when we were doing workshops for the musical – before we found someone who could sing, dance and do comedy – we did a week-long workshop, and Zohran played the role of PK Dubey.”
Describing the atmosphere of those sessions, Nair added, “The workshop is meant to showcase investors, so you have the orchestra, the singers, the actors – all on microphones. Zohran played PK Dubey, and (singer) Ali Sethi – who is like my son – sang. I remember that morning: Zohran came home with a very nice haircut. I said, ‘How did this come about, son?’ And he said, ‘Today is the performance, we have to do a workshop.’ She wore a polka-dotted shirt and dressed herself up a little naughty, like PK.”
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Nair recalled the simple setup of the workshop, which allowed his son’s performance to shine. “We started in this simple room with a microphone stand, no sets or props. All of a sudden, he was playing PK – jumping on tables, doing everything. When it was over, it was fantastic, this double act with Ali. And a producing investor said, ‘Who’s that guy? We wouldn’t go to Broadway without that guy.’ “I reminded him recently that that guy is now our mayor.” Zohran’s interest in his artistic abilities was rekindled when Nair offered him the lead role in his adaptation of ‘A Suitable Boy’. She explained, “No, no. I actually offered him the role of the Suitable Boy—the lead role in ‘A Suitable Boy’. And again, like a lot of my things, if I need an actor to read with an actress or something, and if he’s at home, he’s always willing. But for ‘A Suitable Boy’—I really wanted him to play that role. And he didn’t.”
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Zohran’s hesitation in acting was obvious. Nair recounts his response: “He said, ‘A lot of people yearn to be offered these things, but I don’t.’ He was the most hesitant actor. He never wanted to, and I had to accept that. And I was grateful, too, because he knew he didn’t have the need—the need that people have to become actors—he didn’t have it. But he has talent. I have always seen charisma in him and his ability to connect with people very directly and without any inhibitions. I’ve always liked it.”
Despite his wishes, Nair believed that Zohran’s career would not include acting. He said, “But I have no chance of getting him in a movie. We made him wear a shirt for ‘Queen of Katwe’—besides the musical he did—but yes, there’s a shot where he plays a kid for a short period of time in that movie. Otherwise, no. Not a chance now. He never wanted to, but I would love it if he did.”
Ishaan Khattar finally got the main role in ‘A Suitable Boy’. Even though Zohran is moving on to public service, his brief involvement in Nair’s creative world remains a personal highlight for the director.
News Source- – India Today news