The Namesake is a 2006 English-language drama film directed by Mira Nair and written by Sooni Taraporevala based on the novel The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri. It stars Kal Penn, Tabu, Irrfan Khan and Sahira Nair. The film was produced by Indian, American and Japanese studios. The film was filmed primarily in Kolkata (Calcutta), India, and New York City from 28 March to June 2005, with some scenes also shot in suburbs of New York and other locations like Sydney, Australia, and Agra, India. This film was released in the United States on 9 March 2007, following screenings at film festivals in Toronto and New York City. The Namesake received positive reviews from American critics.