From Victory Dance to Quiz Panic: Zohran Mamdani's Bollywood Journey
New York City mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, who recently created an internet sensation by playing Dhoom Machale at his victory event, found himself in an unexpectedly hilarious situation during a recent interview. The self-proclaimed Bollywood buff, who had confidently walked off stage to the energetic Bollywood track, suddenly faced his ultimate test when confronted with a surprise Bollywood quiz.
The Unexpected Bollywood Challenge
During what began as a standard political interview, British journalist Mehdi Hasan decided to lighten the atmosphere with an unexpected twist. Midway through their conversation, Hasan announced he had prepared a quick Bollywood quiz for the newly elected leader. Mamdani, a member of the US Democratic Party who has always been open about his love for Indian cinema, immediately sensed trouble and burst into laughter.
"I want to be very clear, I am going to fail this," Mamdani declared even before the first song played, showcasing his trademark honesty and self-awareness. Hasan revealed the segment was called 'Guess the Bollywood Song' and pulled out his phone to begin the musical challenge.
Three Songs That Tested a Bollywood Fan
The quiz began promisingly with one of Bollywood's most iconic tracks - 'Chaiyya Chaiyya' from the 1998 Shah Rukh Khan film 'Dil Se'. Mamdani recognized the song immediately, answering within seconds and briefly looking relieved. For a moment, it seemed the self-proclaimed Bollywood enthusiast might actually ace the quiz.
However, the second track, 'It's the Time to Disco' from 'Kal Ho Naa Ho', left him completely stumped. Mamdani listened carefully but no memory clicked. With a smile and head shake, he surrendered almost instantly. "Should have had 'call a friend'!" he joked, demonstrating the humor that kept the entire moment light and entertaining despite his inability to name the song.
The third and final song proved to be the most memorable moment. When 'Mehndi Laga Ke Rakhna' from 'Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge' played, Mamdani couldn't recall the name but didn't give up easily. Closing his eyes to visualize the scenes, he correctly identified Shah Rukh Khan's presence. "I feel like Shah Rukh is moving in the song! He has just come on top of the steps and gone like this!" he exclaimed while instinctively recreating SRK's iconic arms-stretched-wide pose.
Bollywood Roots and Cultural Connections
Mamdani's connection to cinema runs deeper than casual fandom. He is the son of acclaimed Indian filmmaker Mira Nair, known for beloved films like 'Monsoon Wedding' and 'Salaam Bombay!'. Growing up surrounded by storytelling, art, and culture clearly shaped his relationship with Bollywood, even if he couldn't identify every iconic song in a surprise quiz.
The entire Bollywood quiz segment showcased Mamdani's genuine personality and ability to laugh at himself. Even when he struggled to name songs, his humor and the spontaneous recreation of Shah Rukh Khan's famous pose created a viral moment that endeared him to viewers worldwide. The host good-naturedly teased him about buying time with the SRK pose, but Mamdani simply leaned into the fun, proving that sometimes how you handle failure matters more than the failure itself.
