Camilla Jessen
Zohran Mamdani had hidden Disney movie cameo 9 years ago.
Before becoming the youngest mayor of New York City in more than a century, Zohran Mamdani had a surprising brush with Hollywood.
Fresh off a historic landslide win that saw him become the first Muslim and South Asian mayor in NYC’s history, Mamdani is now making headlines.
A brush with Hollywood
While Mamdani, 34, is now the face of a new political era in the city, long before his mayoral ambitions took shape, he was involved in filmmaking alongside his mother, acclaimed director Mira Nair (Monsoon Wedding, Salaam Bombay!).
One of their collaborations was Disney’s Queen of Katwe, based on the true story of Phiona Mutesi, a Ugandan chess prodigy.
In the film, Mamdani took on multiple behind-the-scenes roles, credited as both third assistant director and music supervisor.
He also made a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it cameo, playing a small role as “Bookie Student.”
From Disney cameo to rap performance
What’s more, Mamdani — under the stage name Young Cardamom — contributed a rap track titled #1 Spice to the Queen of Katwe soundtrack.
The upbeat fusion of hip-hop and South Asian rhythms gained traction in Uganda, where the film was shot.
It’s not the only time Mamdani’s creative voice played a part in shaping big decisions.
In 2018, Mira Nair revealed her son’s advice led her to turn down a Harry Potter directing offer from Warner Bros. Mamdani urged her instead to direct The Namesake, a film about Indian-American identity.
“Many good directors can make Harry Potter, but only you can make The Namesake,” he reportedly told her.
Now that Mamdani has transitioned from film sets to political stages, his blend of creativity, immigrant pride, and political firebrand energy is reshaping New York’s future.
“New York will remain a city of immigrants,” Mamdani declared in his victory speech. “Powered by immigrants — and, as of tonight, led by an immigrant.”
This was reported by Newsner.
This article is made and published by Camilla Jessen, who may have used AI in the preparation
