Indian-origin filmmaker Mira Nair, the acclaimed director and mother of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, has been named in the recently released Jeffrey Epstein files.
Among the names appearing in the documents released by the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) is Mira Nair, who is mentioned in an email referencing a star-studded film party hosted by Epstein’s partner Ghislaine Maxwell.
As per reports, the files, totalling around three million pages, were released on Friday (January 30) as part of the latest disclosure related to the convicted sex offender.
According to a screenshot of the documents released by the DOJ and reported by the Daily Mail, Nair’s name appears in an email dated October 21, 2009, sent by publicist Peggy Siegal to Jeffrey Epstein.
The email was sent to the address jeevacation@gmail.com. While the subject line of the email is not disclosed, the body reads, “Just left Ghislaine’s townhouse…after party for film. Bill Clinton and Jeff Bezos were there…Jean Pigozzi, director Mira Nair….etc.”
The inclusion of names in the newly released Epstein files does not indicate wrongdoing, and the email primarily suggests that Mira Nair was present at a social event connected to a film screening.
The email continues, “Film received tepid reaction although women like it much more…Hillary Swank and Gere at stupid party in Bloomingdales cheap sportwear department….very weird. Studio went for free party from store and windows for a month…. Going to be in Wall Street 2 tomorrow ….more to come. xoxo Peg,” the email written by Siegal read.
While the screenshot itself does not specify the film, multiple reports have stated that the party was held for Mira Nair’s 2009 film Amelia, which starred Hillary Swank and Richard Gere.
Jeffrey Epstein died in prison in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. Mira Nair is an internationally recognised filmmaker, known for directing critically acclaimed films such as Monsoon Wedding, Salaam Bombay!, and Mississippi Masala.
There has been no response so far from Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s office regarding the mention of Nair in the files.
US Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said on Friday that the Department of Justice had released more than three million pages of documents, along with over 2,000 videos and 180,000 images, as part of the Epstein disclosure.
“… that means that the department produced approximately three and a half million pages in compliance with the act,” Blanche said.
He also clarified that all images of women have been redacted, except for those of Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s accomplice.
