Archive · 1 Sep 2026
Mira Nair Says Zohran’s School Holiday Shaped Monsoon Wedding
Mira Nair made a movie called Monsoon Wedding more than 25 years ago.
She filmed it in Delhi during the rainy monsoon season.
She chose that time partly because her son, Zohran, was on school vacation.
This meant she could bring him with her while she worked.
The rain became an important part of how the movie looked and felt.
The film was made in just 30 days.
It became successful and won a major prize at the Venice Film Festival.
Zohran later became the mayor of New York City.
Mira Nair said she scheduled Monsoon Wedding during the monsoon partly because her son Zohran Mamdani was on school vacation.
The timing allowed Nair to bring Zohran while she worked on the film in Delhi.
Monsoon Wedding was shot over 30 days after Nair and writer Sabrina Dhawan finalized locations and casting.
The film premiered at the Venice Film Festival in 2001, where Nair won the Golden Lion.
Zohran, then Nair’s young son, is now the mayor of New York City.
- Who
- Director Mira Nair, writer Sabrina Dhawan, and Nair’s son Zohran Mamdani.
- What
- Nair explained that Zohran’s school vacation influenced the monsoon filming schedule for Monsoon Wedding.
- When
- The film was made about 25 years ago and premiered in 2001; Nair discussed the detail in a recent interview.
- Where
- The film was shot in Delhi and premiered at the Venice Film Festival.
- Why
- The monsoon coincided with Zohran’s school holiday, allowing Nair to take him while she worked.
- Film
- Monsoon Wedding
- Director
- Mira Nair
- Writer
- Sabrina Dhawan
- Filming duration
- 30 days
- Filming location
- Delhi
- Premiere
- Venice Film Festival, 2001
- Award
- Mira Nair won the Golden Lion, becoming the first female director to receive it