New York’s new mayor Zohran Mamdani signs off victory speech with ‘Dhoom Machale’

“Dhoom Machale…” — the high-energy anthem from the 2004 hit 'Dhoom' — echoed through the venue as Zohran Mamdani concluded his victory speech, giving the night a cheerful Bollywood touch.

The 34-year-old Democrat of Indian origin, son of filmmaker Mira Nair and Columbia University professor Mahmood Mamdani, won the New York mayoral race against independent candidate Andrew Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa on Tuesday night.

As Mamdani finished his speech saying, “New York, this power it’s yours. This city belongs to you. Thank you,” the famous 'Dhoom' song started playing. His wife Rama Duwaji and parents joined him on stage while the upbeat music played in the background.

Mamdani has made history as New York’s first South Asian, first Muslim, and youngest mayor.
The song “Dhoom Machale”, sung by Sunidhi Chauhan and composed by Pritam, became a huge hit in the 2000s for its catchy rhythm and energetic beats. Mamdani often uses Bollywood themes in his public messages.

Born in Kampala, Uganda, and raised in New York from age seven, he has used Hindi film songs and dialogues in his campaign videos to connect with the city’s Indian American voters. Some of his videos even referenced classic films like 'Deewaar', 'Karz', and 'Om Shanti Om'.

After his win, Mamdani gave a powerful speech, calling his victory the end of a “political dynasty” and quoting India’s first prime minister, Jawaharlal Nehru.

“Standing before you, I think of the words of Jawaharlal Nehru - a moment comes, but rarely in history, when we step out from the old to the new, when an age ends and when the soul of a nation long suppressed finds utterance. Tonight, we have stepped out from the old into the new," he said.

The choice of 'Dhoom Machale' created a buzz online, with many praising Mamdani for the fun and unique song selection. Journalist Mehdi Hasan wrote, "Hey white supremacists, Zohran ended his speech tonight with ‘Dhoom machale’. Bollywood music. Cry more, racist losers."

Another user posted, "Probably one of the most iconic things to ever happen at the end of the New York Mayor's victory speech...they really dropped 'Dhoom Machale'!"

“Zohran Mamdani closes victory speech as mayor of New York to Dhoom Machale. This is like a Bollywood movie in real life,” wrote another. As one user summed it up, "New Yorkers have been exposed to the magic of 'Dhoom Machale' mashallah."
(With PTI Inputs)