Who is Zohran Mamdani? The new mayor of New York City?
- Richa Verma
- Nov 7
- 3 min read
New York City’s political scene has seen its fair share of characters, but none quite like Zohran Mamdani. The 34-year-old Ugandan-born, Indian-origin mayor-elect isn’t just rewriting the playbook; he’s remixing it with a beat drop.
Before he was called the “Dhoom Machale Mayor,” Mamdani was a state lawmaker and community organizer who spent years mastering the art of political hustle. His rise from grassroots organizing to City Hall is proof that ambition, authenticity, and just the right amount of swagger can take you from subway platforms to power corridors.
From Kampala to Queens
Mamdani’s story could easily be a Netflix limited series. Born in Kampala to filmmaker Mira Nair and academic Mahmood Mamdani, he moved to Queens at the age of seven. He studied at the Bronx High School of Science and later earned a degree in Africana Studies from Bowdoin College, where he co-founded the campus chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine.
Before entering politics, he worked as a foreclosure prevention counselor in Queens, helping immigrant families avoid eviction. It was then that his political instincts sharpened. He saw the housing crisis not as an accident but as a policy choice. He decided he wasn’t going to just analyze the problem but was going to do something about it.
Zohran Mamdani's Political Plot Twist
Mamdani’s first election win came in 2020, when he unseated a long-time incumbent in the New York State Assembly. It was the political equivalent of a mic drop. He campaigned on issues like housing reform and public utilities and quickly built a reputation for being both relentless and relatable.
Once in office, he joined a hunger strike with taxi drivers that eventually led to hundreds of millions in debt relief. He championed fare-free buses and tenant protections, often blending protest with policy. By the time 2025 arrived, his underdog campaign for mayor didn’t look so impossible anymore. Against heavy political odds, he won. And when the victory moment came, he made sure it had a soundtrack.
When “Dhoom Machale” Hit City Hall
After delivering a fiery speech that quoted Nehru and thanked his volunteers, Zohran Mamdani walked offstage with his family. As the crowd erupted, the speakers blasted the “Dhoom Machale" song. For a few surreal seconds, New York politics turned into a Bollywood afterparty. And the internet did the rest.
The moment wasn’t just funny or viral. It was symbolic. It showed how culture and politics can coexist, how an immigrant’s identity can live at the center of power without being toned down. And yes, it proved that even democracy can dance when the DJ gets it right.
“Perfumes You Can Eat” and the Chai–Momo Diplomacy
The campaign trail gave the internet plenty to work with. In one viral clip, Mamdani casually pulled out a pack of Rajnigandha Silver Pearls. When someone joked that it tasted like perfume, he smiled and said, “Perfumes you can eat.” The line instantly became meme material, shared everywhere from WhatsApp groups to political blogs.
A few days later, he was seen having chai and momo with Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in Jackson Heights. It was the perfect crossover episode: local flavor meets national spotlight. Between these cultural moments and his constant engagement with the community, Mamdani turned the campaign into something between activism and street theatre.
Zohran Mamdani: A New Kind of Mayor
Now that he is in office, the question is whether he can turn style into substance. His promises of affordable housing, public childcare, and free transit have set expectations high. But if there is one thing New York loves more than bold ideas, it is the people who dare to try them.
Mamdani may quote Nehru, drop hip-hop references, and take policy meetings over chai, but at his core, he represents a new generation of leadership. Less scripted, more self-aware, and completely unafraid to be seen. Love him, doubt him, or just dance to his soundtrack, one thing is certain. Zohran Mamdani has made City Hall interesting again.
For more city stories and social media sensations, stay tuned to The ScreenLight. Because even politics looks better under the spotlight.
