Zohran Mamdani Victory Speech Goes Bollywood with Dhoom Machale

Indian-origin politician Zohran Mamdani has made history by winning the New York City mayoral race, becoming the city’s first Muslim mayor, the first mayor of South Asian heritage, and the first mayor born in Africa. At 34, Mamdani will also be the youngest mayor of New York City in more than a century when he assumes office on January 1, 2026.

The victory came after a fiercely contested election in which Mamdani defeated former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa. Over two million New Yorkers participated in the election, marking the largest turnout in a mayoral race in over 50 years.

A self-described democratic socialist, Mamdani addressed a cheering crowd alongside his wife, artist Rama Duwaji, acclaimed filmmaker mother Mira Nair, and scholar father Mahmood Mamdani. His victory celebration included a Bollywood touch as the iconic song “Dhoom Machale” from the 2004 film Dhoom played in the background.

In his victory speech, Mamdani acknowledged his identity and the significance of his election. “I am young, despite my best efforts to grow older. I am Muslim. I am a democratic socialist. And most damning of all, I refuse to apologise for any of this. New York, tonight you have delivered a mandate for change,” he said, pledging to improve the city for all residents. He also quoted India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, highlighting the historic nature of this moment: “A moment comes, but rarely in history, when we step out from the old to the new… Tonight, we have stepped out from the old into the new.”

Mamdani further emphasized the role of immigrants in shaping New York, declaring that the city would continue to be “powered by immigrants and led by an immigrant.” He challenged the influence of national political figures and vowed to stand against oligarchy and authoritarianism, encouraging a new era of civic engagement and inclusive governance.

Alongside Mamdani’s victory, the Democratic Party achieved notable wins in other key elections, with candidates securing gubernatorial races in Virginia and New Jersey, signaling momentum ahead of next year’s congressional midterm elections.

This historic win not only represents a milestone for diversity in New York City politics but also underscores the growing influence of younger, progressive voices in shaping the future of one of the world’s most prominent cities.