NEW YORK – Indian-origin Democrat Zohran Mamdani, 34, made history on Tuesday night by becoming the first South Asian, first Muslim, and youngest-ever Mayor of New York City, defeating independent candidate Andrew Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa in a decisive victory.
Mamdani, the son of acclaimed filmmaker Mira Nair and Columbia University professor Mahmood Mamdani, concluded his victory speech with an electrifying Bollywood moment that instantly went viral. As he declared, “New York, this power—it’s yours. This city belongs to you. Thank you,” the iconic Bollywood hit “Dhoom Machale” from the 2004 film Dhoom began playing in the background.
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The song choice set social media ablaze, with thousands praising Mamdani for blending cultural pride with political triumph. Noted journalist Mehdi Hasan posted on X (formerly Twitter): “Hey white supremacists, Zohran ended his speech tonight with ‘Dhoom Machale’. Bollywood music. Cry more, racist losers.”
Another user wrote, “Probably one of the most iconic things to ever happen at the end of a New York Mayor’s victory speech—they really dropped ‘Dhoom Machale’!”
Mamdani was joined on stage by his wife Rama Duwaji and his parents as the energetic beats of the song filled the hall, symbolizing both a generational and cultural shift in New York politics.
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Originally sung by Sunidhi Chauhan and composed by Pritam Chakraborty, “Dhoom Machale” remains one of Bollywood’s most recognizable dance anthems, celebrated for its infectious rhythm and cross-cultural appeal—fitting for the city known as a global melting pot.