Indian-Origin Woman Accuses Mira Nair of Promoting Negative Stereotypes of Hindus
An Indian-origin Hindu woman, Indu Viswanathan, who recently voiced strong criticism against New York mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, has now targeted Mamdani’s mother, acclaimed filmmaker Mira Nair, accusing her of being “Hinduphobic.”
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Indu Viswanathan Labels Mira Nair ‘Hinduphobic’
Viswanathan, known for her outspoken views on Hindu identity and politics, condemned Nair’s portrayal of Hindu characters in her films, arguing that they are often painted with a “reductive perspective” that fails to capture the complexity and richness of Hindu society and philosophy.
“If she’s not flattening Hindu characters and the richness of Hindu philosophy, she’s erasing Hindu perspectives and voices entirely,” Viswanathan said. She added that when Nair speaks publicly, she continues to reflect these limited and biased views on Hinduism.
According to Indu Viswanathan, Hindu characters in Mira Nair’s films are frequently depicted as “gatekeepers of patriarchy, bigotry, or repression,” while narratives of liberation are shown as rooted in Western ideals or rejection of Hindu norms. She further criticized that Nair’s movies rarely feature depictions of devout or joyful Hindu spiritual life or highlight the diversity and depth of Hindu theology.
Viswanathan’s recent comments come after her earlier criticism of Zohran Mamdani’s political rhetoric. She accused Mamdani of “distorting facts” and manipulating identity politics, citing his controversial claim that there are no Muslims left in Gujarat as an example. Indu Viswanathan countered by stating that the claim is false and “central to the larger fabrication of his own victimhood status,” pointing out that Gujarat has a Muslim population of over seven million.
Zohran Mamdani’s rise as a New York mayoral candidate has drawn significant attention, and Indu Viswanathan’s critiques highlight ongoing debates within the Indian diaspora over identity, politics, and representation in media and public life.
Mira Nair, an internationally recognized filmmaker known for movies such as Monsoon Wedding and The Namesake, has not yet publicly responded to these accusations.
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