The Namesake (2006): cast, story & where to watch
2006 · Film · ★ 6.8
Released in 2006, The Namesake is a drama film directed by Mira Nair, running about 122 minutes. “Two Worlds. One Journey.” — that tagline sets the tone.
What it’s about. After moving from Calcutta to New York, members of the Ganguli family maintain a delicate balancing act between honoring the traditions of their native India and blending into American culture. Although parents Ashoke and Ashima are proud of the sacrifices they make to give their children opportunities, their son Gogol strives to forge his own identity without forgetting his heritage.
Who’s in it. The Namesake stars Kal Penn as Gogol / Nikhil, Tabu as Ashima Ganguli, Irrfan Khan as Ashoke Ganguli and Sahira Nair as Sonali Ganguli, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 6.8/10, The Namesake has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response. It went on to earn $20.4M at the box office.
Where to watch. In US you can rent or buy it from Amazon Video, Google Play Movies and YouTube. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch The Namesake page.
If you liked it. Fans of The Namesake tend to enjoy The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, Schindler's List and The Godfather Part II.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch The Namesake (2006)?
- In US, The Namesake is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Google Play Movies and YouTube. Availability varies by country — check our where-to-watch page for every region.
- Is The Namesake worth watching?
- The Namesake holds an audience score of 6.8 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy drama. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in The Namesake?
- The Namesake stars Kal Penn, Tabu, Irrfan Khan, Sahira Nair and Jacinda Barrett.
- When was The Namesake released?
- The Namesake was released in 2006, with a runtime of about 122 minutes.