New York’s newly-elected mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani has set social media ablaze after ending his victory speech with Bollywood’s iconic anthem Dhoom Machale. The 34-year-old Democrat, who defeated former Governor Andrew Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa in a historic election, capped off his speech with the 2004 hit blaring through loudspeakers as supporters cheered.
“New York, this power -- it’s yours. This city belongs to you. Thank you,” Mamdani declared, as the familiar beats of Pritam Chakraborty’s composition filled the hall. Standing beside his wife Rama Duwaji, Mamdani smiled as the chorus echoed through the crowd, marking a moment that was both celebratory and symbolic. For those who’ve followed his journey, the choice of Dhoom Machale was no surprise.
‘Dune Machale Dune’: A pop culture trail
A resurfaced tweet from October 2021 offers a telling glimpse into Mamdani’s long-standing affection for the song. As Denis Villeneuve’s Dune premiered that year, Mamdani posted: “Dune machale dune machale dune” — a witty nod to both the sci-fi epic and the Bollywood chartbuster.
The tweet, now viral again, has been hailed as a moment of full-circle cultural resonance. Mamdani’s campaign leaned heavily into pop culture references, especially Hindi cinema, to connect with New Yorkers across boroughs like Queens and Brooklyn.
His campaign videos featured dialogues from Deewaar, Karz, and Om Shanti Om, aimed at engaging younger South Asian voters. The strategy, paired with grassroots outreach and a clear progressive vision, helped him secure more than 2 million votes—New York’s highest mayoral turnout since 1969.
Multicultural, multilingual, and unapologetically Bollywood
Born in Kampala, Uganda, and raised in New York from the age of seven, Mamdani represents a new generation of American leadership -- multilingual, multicultural, and unafraid to celebrate all strands of identity. The son of acclaimed filmmaker Mira Nair and Columbia University scholar Mahmood Mamdani, he has consistently used the language of cinema and music to build bridges across communities.
His Dhoom Machale moment has now become emblematic of his political style -- bold, inclusive, and rooted in cultural pride.
“This is the kind of mayor New York needs,” one X user commented. “Someone who knows how to speak to every part of the city—and dance with it too.” Another added, "This is why I voted for him twice."
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