Bollywood actor and MP Kangana Ranaut sparked controversy on Thursday by sharing a post targeting Zohran Mamdani, New York Assemblyman and son of acclaimed filmmaker Mira Nair, amid his reported mayoral bid. Reposting a claim that Mamdani had once led a protest in Times Square with anti-Hindu slogans, Ranaut accused him of having an “anti-Hindu stance” and questioned his cultural identity based on his name and parentage.
While criticising Mamdani, she acknowledged Mira Nair’s contributions to Indian cinema, calling her “one of our best filmmakers” and congratulating her and her husband, Mehmood Mamdani, a noted academic.
Zohran Mamdani, a 33-year-old Democratic Socialist, has been gaining attention as a frontrunner in New York City’s upcoming mayoral race. If elected, he would become NYC’s first Muslim mayor. His candidacy has drawn both support and opposition across the political spectrum, including criticism from former U.S. President Donald Trump, who labelled him a “Communist lunatic” on Truth Social.
Kangana’s remarks add a sharp cultural layer to the political discourse around Mamdani’s public image in both India and the United States. Her post also underscores the growing tensions between global Indian identities, political ideologies, and perceived religious affiliations.
