Two Worlds. One Journey.|Sep. 02, 2006|United States, India|122 Min.|TV-14
Genre: Drama
Description: “The Namesake,” released in 2006, follows the journey of Ashoke and Ashima Ganguli, immigrants from West Bengal, India, who settle in the United States. The film explores their lives and those of their American-born children, Gogol and Sonia. Set primarily in Kolkata, New York City, and its suburbs, the story delves into themes of identity, culture, and family.
The narrative begins with Ashoke and Ashima moving from Calcutta to New York City. Due to a series of misunderstandings, their son’s nickname, Gogol—inspired by Russian author Nikolai Gogol—becomes his legal name, setting the stage for his lifelong identity struggles. The film portrays Gogol’s experiences navigating between his Indian heritage and American upbringing.
As a teenager, Gogol grows distant from his cultural roots, showing little interest in his family’s traditions. However, a trip to India before starting college at Yale begins to change his perspective. Over time, he becomes more connected to his heritage.
In adulthood, Gogol adopts his formal name, Nikhil (later shortened to Nick), and works as an architect. He enters a relationship with Maxine, a wealthy white woman, but their cultural differences create tension. While Maxine’s family embraces Gogol, his parents struggle to accept his modern outlook on love and marriage.
Tragedy strikes when Ashoke passes away, prompting Gogol to reevaluate his life. He reconnects with his cultural identity and ends his relationship with Maxine, striving to align more closely with his family’s values and traditions. “The Namesake” is a poignant exploration of identity, belonging, and the immigrant experience.
Cast director: Mira Nair
Cast actor: Kal Penn, Tabu, Irrfan Khan, Sahira Nair, Jacinda Barrett, Zuleikha Robinson, Ruma Guha Thakurta, Sabyasachi Chakraborty, Supriya Choudhury, Jhumpa Lahiri
Original name: The Namesake