Actor-turned-politician Kangana Ranaut has stirred up another social media storm. This time, it’s about Zohran Mamdani, the 33-year-old Indian-origin candidate who just won the Democratic mayoral primary in New York City.
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Kangana questioned Mamdani’s Indian identity, even pointing out his name as “sounding more Pakistani than Indian.” Her comments came after an old video of Mamdani began circulating online, where he allegedly criticized Hinduism and India’s stance on several global issues.
“His mother is Mira Nair, one of our best filmmakers, Padmashri, a beloved and celebrated daughter born and raised in great Bharat based in New York,” Kangana wrote. “She married Mehmood Mamdani, a celebrated author. And obviously, the son is named Zohran. He sounds more Pakistani than Indian.”
Kangana didn’t stop there. She added, “Whatever happened to his Hindu identity or bloodline? And now he’s ready to wipe out Hinduism? Wow! It’s the same story everywhere.”
While the post sparked major debate online, she did take a moment to congratulate the family, saying she met Mira Nair a couple of times and wished them well.
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But Kangana wasn’t the only one raising concerns.
Senior Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi also weighed in. “When Zohran Mamdani opens his mouth, Pakistan’s PR team takes the day off,” he posted on X. “India doesn’t need enemies with ‘allies’ like him shouting fiction from New York.”
Zohran Mamdani is the son of acclaimed filmmaker Mira Nair and Marxist scholar Mahmood Mamdani. If he wins the November 2025 NYC mayoral election, he could become the city’s first Muslim mayor.
His campaign has been sharply socialist, promising to freeze rent, make buses fare-free, and offer free childcare to families. His bold policies have won praise among New York’s progressive base, but his criticism of India’s policies has not gone unnoticed back home.
Kangana Ranaut’s sharp comments have reignited the old debate around diaspora loyalty, religious identity, and whether names define one’s patriotism.
Meanwhile, Zohran has not directly responded to Kangana’s remarks. His focus seems fixed on New York’s housing crisis, transport reform, and social justice agenda.
As November approaches, Indian social media seems just as invested in the NYC mayoral race as Americans.
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