The American-born son of Indian immigrants feels pulled between his ethnic heritage and his desire to assimilate, especially after becoming involved with two very different women.

Based on the novel: The namesake / by Jhumpa Lahiri. Originally produced as a motion picture in 2006. Special features (53 min.): optional audio commentary by Nair; 3 deleted scenes, with optional audio commentary by Nair (3 min. total); "The anatomy of 'The namesake'" a class taught by Nair at Columbia University's School of the Arts' Film Division (32 min.); "In character with Kal Penn" (4 min.); "Kolkata love poem" montage (4 min.); "Photography as inspiration" featurette (8 min.); theatrical trailer (2 min.).