Mira Nair: Biography, Movies, Marriages, Religion & Net Worth

Mira Nair has spent four decades moving between continents, telling stories that belong everywhere and nowhere at once, with her debut feature Salaam Bombay! (1988) winning the Caméra d’Or at Cannes and earning an Oscar nomination. This guide covers her life, films, marriages, and the numbers behind her legacy.

Birth Date: October 15, 1957 ·
Birth Place: Rourkela, Odisha, India ·
Nationality: Indian American ·
Notable Awards: Cannes (Palme d’Or), Venice (Golden Lion) ·
Occupations: Film director, producer, screenwriter

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts

Born in Rourkela, India, on October 15, 1957 (Encyclopaedia Britannica)
Studied at Delhi University and Harvard University (Ford Foundation)
Narrative feature debut Salaam Bombay! (1988) won Palme d’Or at Cannes (Ford Foundation)
Married photographer Mitch Epstein (1981–1989) and academic Mahmood Mamdani (2000–present) (The Hollywood Reporter)

2What’s unclear

Exact net worth: estimates range from $5 million to over $22 million, but none are independently verified (Yahoo Entertainment)

3Timeline signal

1957: Born in Rourkela (Encyclopaedia Britannica)
1988: Salaam Bombay! released, wins Palme d’Or (Ford Foundation)
2000: Marries Mahmood Mamdani (The Hollywood Reporter)
2024: Continues independent film projects (Maisha Film Lab)

4What’s next

Nair remains active in independent cinema and runs Maisha Film Lab in Uganda (Maisha Film Lab)
Her son Zohran Mamdani is a New York State Assembly member (The Hollywood Reporter)

Seven key facts, one pattern: every piece of data points to a transnational life.

Label	Value
Full Name	Mira Nair
Profession	Film Director, Producer, Screenwriter
Born	October 15, 1957
Birthplace	Rourkela, Odisha, India
Residence	New York City, USA and Kampala, Uganda
Spouse(s)	Mitch Epstein (m. 1988–1992), Mahmood Mamdani (m. 2000–present)
Children	Zohran Mamdani

What is Mira Nair best known for?

Films that defined her career

Salaam Bombay! (1988) – her narrative debut, won the Caméra d’Or and was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film (Ford Foundation)
Monsoon Wedding (2001) – won the Golden Lion