The Namesake

  • 2006
  • PG-13
  • 122m
movieMx RATING
6.7/10182
VERDICT
HIT
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Performance & Direction: The Namesake Review

Last updated: February 15, 2026

movieMx Editorial Team
REVIEWED BY

movieMx Editorial Team

🔍 Cinematic Analysis Expert

Leading cinematic analysis expert with over 10 years of experience in Bollywood and Hollywood box office tracking. Reviewed 500+ films with a focus on narrative structure and commercial profitability.

📅 Updated: February 15, 2026 🎟️ Verified Viewing

🎬 Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?

Is The Namesake (2006) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a HIT with a verified audience rating of 6.7/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Drama.

🎭 Cast Performances: A Masterclass

The success of any Drama is often anchored by its ensemble, and The Namesake features a noteworthy lineup led by Kal Penn . Supported by the likes of Irrfan Khan and Tabu , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.

Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.

💡 Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?

In summary, our editorial assessment of The Namesake (2006) is generally positive. With an audience rating of 6.7/10, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.
Result: HIT
Based on verified audience sentiment and box office trajectory, The Namesake stands as a HIT.

Story & Plot Summary: The Namesake

Quick Plot Summary: Released in 2006, The Namesake is a Drama film directed by Mira Nair. The narrative explores complex human emotions and relationships through detailed character development. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Kal Penn.

Ending Explained: The Namesake

Ending Breakdown: Directed by Mira Nair, The Namesake concludes its story with a mix of closure and open interpretation. The finale presents its approach to drama resolution.

The emotional climax centers on character transformation involving Kal Penn, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.

Ending Analysis:

  • Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
  • Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
  • Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the drama themes established throughout the runtime.

The final moments of The Namesake reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.

Who Should Watch The Namesake?

Worth Watching If You:

  • Enjoy Drama films and don't mind familiar tropes
  • Are a fan of Kal Penn or the director
  • Want a character-driven story with emotional moments

Box Office Collection: The Namesake

Metric / RegionCollection (Approx)
Production Budget $12.0M
Worldwide Gross $20.4M
Trade Verdict CLEAN HIT

The Namesake Budget

The estimated production budget for The Namesake is $12.0M. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.

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Top Cast: The Namesake

All Cast & Crew →
Kal Penn
Kal PennGogol / Nikhil
Irrfan Khan
Irrfan KhanAshoke Ganguli
Tabu
TabuAshima Ganguli
Jacinda Barrett
Jacinda BarrettMaxine Ratliffe
Zuleikha Robinson
Zuleikha RobinsonMoushumi Mazoomdar
Ruma Guha Thakurta
Ruma Guha ThakurtaAshoke's Mother
Sabyasachi Chakraborty
Sabyasachi ChakrabortyAshima's Father
Sahira Nair
Sahira NairSonali Ganguli
Supriya Choudhury
Supriya ChoudhuryAshima's Grandmother
Jhumpa Lahiri
Jhumpa LahiriJhumpa Mashi
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Where to Watch The Namesake Online?

Streaming Hub

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The Namesake Parents Guide & Age Rating

2006 Advisory
PG-13

Official Age Rating

Wondering about The Namesake age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:

The Namesake is rated PG-13. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.

⏱️ Runtime & Duration

The total runtime of The Namesake is 122 minutes (2h 2m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.

Verdict Summary

Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 6.7/10, and global performance metrics, The Namesake is classified as a HIT. It remains an essential part of the 2006 cinematic calendar.

HIT
Official movieMx status for The Namesake. Rating: 6.7/10

Frequently Asked Questions

Is The Namesake worth watching?

The Namesake is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Drama movies. It has a verified rating of 6.7/10 and stands as a HIT in our box office analysis.

Where can I find The Namesake parents guide and age rating?

The official parents guide for The Namesake identifies it as PG-13. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.

What is the total runtime of The Namesake?

The total duration of The Namesake is 122 minutes, which is approximately 2h 2m long.

Best Movies to Watch if you liked The Namesake

How The Namesake Compares & Where it Ranks

Critic Reviews for The Namesake

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movieMx Verified

This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.

This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.

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Expert Consensus
Live Rating
MOVIEMX
★ 6.7
The Namesake
<a href="https://moviemx.in/review/the-namesake-16727" target="_blank" style="text-decoration:none;"><div style="background:#121212;border:1px solid #f5c518;border-radius:12px;padding:15px;width:180px;text-align:center;font-family:sans-serif;box-shadow:0 10px 20px rgba(0,0,0,0.3);"><div style="color:#f5c518;font-size:10px;font-weight:900;letter-spacing:2px;">MOVIEMX</div><div style="color:white;font-size:28px;font-weight:900;margin:8px 0;">★ 6.7</div><div style="color:#888;font-size:12px;font-weight:500;">The Namesake</div></div></a>

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