Zohran Mamdani's Longstanding Love for "Dhoom Machale" Revealed in His Political Journey

A retrospective examination of Mamdani's social media history reveals his longstanding affinity for the iconic Bollywood anthem.

New Delhi:

When New York's newly elected mayor Zohran Mamdani concluded his victory speech with the electrifying Bollywood anthem "Dhoom Machale," it ignited social media conversations worldwide. However, for those who have closely followed his journey, this musical choice represented a consistent thread in his public persona.

Evidence of this affection dates back to 2021 on his X (formerly Twitter) account. During the release of Denis Villeneuve's science fiction masterpiece Dune, Mamdani creatively posted: "dune machale dune machale dune" – cleverly merging the film title with the chorus of the 2004 Bollywood chart-topper.

The 34-year-old Democrat brings a rich cultural heritage to his political identity. As the son of celebrated filmmaker Mira Nair and distinguished Columbia University academic Mahmood Mamdani, he has artfully incorporated cultural references throughout his political communication strategy, resonating with New York's diverse communities.

His recent victory celebration featured "Dhoom Machale" blasting through venue speakers as enthusiastic supporters cheered. After declaring, "New York, this power-it's yours. This city belongs to you. Thank you," the recognizable composition by Pritam Chakraborty filled the hall while Mamdani stood alongside his wife Rama Duwaji, visibly enjoying the moment as attendees responded to the song's infectious energy.

Born in Kampala, Uganda and raised in New York since age seven, Mamdani embodies a new generation of American political leadership – multilingual, multicultural, and proudly embracing his multifaceted identity. His campaign's grassroots approach and progressive vision incorporated numerous Hindi cinema references.

His innovative campaign materials frequently featured thoughtful allusions to Bollywood classics, incorporating dialogues from influential films like Deewaar, Karz, and Om Shanti Om – a strategy that particularly resonated with younger South Asian voters across Queens, Brooklyn, and beyond.