The latest tranche of documents linked to financier Jeffrey Epstein has sparked discussion in India after acclaimed filmmaker Mira Nair’s name appeared in the newly released material. The mention has drawn attention not because of any allegation of wrongdoing, but for highlighting how far Epstein’s social and professional circles once extended into the worlds of cinema, politics, and global elites.
On Friday, the United States Department of Justice made public a massive cache of records tied to the Epstein investigation. The disclosure includes more than three million pages of documents, alongside over 2,000 videos and nearly 180,000 images. Officials said the release followed an extensive internal review and was aimed at increasing transparency around the scope of Epstein’s contacts and activities.
Within this material, Mira Nair’s name appears in an email dated October 21, 2009. The message was sent by publicist Peggy Siegal to Epstein’s email account and described leaving a film-related party hosted at the New York townhouse of Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s longtime associate who was later convicted for her role in facilitating his crimes, reported Hindustan Times.
According to details in the email, the gathering followed a film party attended by several high-profile figures. Among those listed were former U.S. President Bill Clinton, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, businessman Jean Pigozzi, and “director Mira Nair.” Reports suggest the event was connected to the premiere of Amelia, Nair’s 2009 biographical film starring Hilary Swank and Richard Gere.
The email itself offered a brief assessment of the film’s reception, noting that it had received a generally lukewarm response, though it was said to have resonated more positively with women. Beyond this reference, there is no indication in the documents of any further interaction or involvement by Nair.
Crucially, the appearance of a name in the Epstein files does not imply misconduct. Many of the documents catalogue social encounters, emails, or invitations involving a wide range of public figures, without alleging or establishing criminal behaviour. Epstein died in a New York jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges, and the ongoing document releases have continued to draw scrutiny over the breadth of his associations.
For Indian audiences, the mention of Mira Nair—an internationally respected filmmaker and the mother of New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani—has underscored the global reach of Epstein’s social network.
