Latest news with #IndianAmerican
India Today
4 hours ago
- Entertainment
- India Today
Prabhas's pic from his new film Fauji leaked, fans reminded of Mirchi look
Actor Prabhas is currently shooting for his upcoming projects, which includes 'Fauji', directed by Hanu Raghavapudi. A photo of Prabhas, which appears to have been shot on the sets of 'Fauji', is now going viral on social media. Ardent fans of Prabhas excitedly commented that this photo reminds them of his look from the actor's hit film, 'Mirchi'.In the viral photo, Prabhas is seen sporting a leaner look and seated on a table. He is seen wearing a crisp grey shirt and black trousers with a pair of the photo: An excited fan shared a throwback photo from 'Mirchi' and wrote, "#Prabhas's look in the leaked picture from the set of @PrabhasHanu (#Fauji) is similar to his look in the movie #Mirchi (sic)." Here are some reactions: advertisement Prabhas and director Hanu Raghavapudi have joined hands for a film titled 'Fauji'. The film also features Anupam Kher, Mithun Chakraborty and Jaya Prada in pivotal roles. The film's working title is 'Fauji', and an official announcement on the same is yet to be film features social media influencer Imanvi Ismail in the lead role. After the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, film association announced a ban on working with Pakistani actors. After the controversy, many claimed that Imanvi was a Pakistani and demanded her removal from the shared a long note about her identity and wrote, "I also want to address rumours and lies that have been falsely spread about my identity and my family via fake new sources and online media in order to create division and spread hate. First, nobody in my family has ever been or is currently associated with the Pakistani military in any way (sic)." She further added, "I am a proud Indian American who speaks Hindi, Telugu, Gujarati and English. I was born in Los Angeles, California, after my parents legally immigrated to the United States as youth. Soon after, they became American citizens."After the controversy erupted, the makers haven't issued any statement regarding her removal from the film.- EndsTrending Reel
Arab News
7 hours ago
- Politics
- Arab News
Many South Asians and Muslims in NYC and beyond electrified by Mamdani's mayoral primary triumph
The success of Zohran Mamdani in New York City's Democratic primary for mayor is euphoric for Hari Kondabolu, a stand-up comedian who's been friends with the candidate for 15 years. Mamdani stunned the political establishment when he declared victory in the primary on Tuesday, a ranked choice election in which his strongest competition, former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, conceded defeat. When he launched his campaign, the unabashed democratic socialist ranked near the bottom of the pack. Now, the 33-year-old state assemblyman has a chance to be New York City's first Asian American and Muslim mayor. Mamdani's family came to the United States when he was 7, and he became a citizen in 2018. He was born to Indian parents in Kampala, Uganda. For Kondabolu, this moment is not just exciting, but emotional. 'I think so many of us have had those experiences in New York of being brown and in a city that has always been really diverse and feels like ours. But after 9/11, like you start to question it like, is this our city too,' Kondabolu said. 'And 25 years later ... it's surreal, like this is the same city but it's not because we've elected this person.' Mamdani's campaign has piqued the interest of many Indian, Pakistani and other South Asian Americans, as well as Muslims — even those who may not agree with Mamdani on every issue. Despite that opposition, some still see his rise as a sign of hope in a city where racism and xenophobia erupted following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. South Asians and Muslims riveted by primary in New York, and beyond Many of New York City's over 300,000 South Asian residents have been inspired by Mamdani's extraordinary trajectory. 'My mom was texting her friends to vote for him. I've never seen my mother do that before,' Kondabolu said. 'So the idea that it's gotten our whole family activated in this way — this is, like, personal.' Snigdha Sur, founder and CEO of The Juggernaut, an online publication reporting on South Asians, has been fascinated by the response from some people in India and the diaspora. 'So many global South Asians ... they're like, 'Oh, this guy is my mayor and I don't live in New York City,'' Sur said. At the same time, some are also concerned or angered by Mamdani's past remarks about Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who he publicly called a 'war criminal.' In Michigan, Thasin Sardar has been following Mamdani's ascent online. When he first heard him, he struck him as 'genuine' and he felt 'an instant connection,' he said. 'As a Muslim American, this victory puts my trust back in the people,' said Sardar, who was born and raised in India. 'I am happy that there are people who value the candidate and his policies more than his personal religious beliefs and didn't vote him down because of the color of his skin, or the fact that he was an immigrant with an uncommon name.' New York voter Zainab Shabbir said family members in California, and beyond, have also excitedly taken note. 'My family in California, they were very much like, 'Oh, it's so nice to see a South Asian Muslim candidate be a mayor of a major city,'' she said. A brother told her Mamdani's rise is a great example for his kids, she said. But the 34-year-old — who donated, voted and canvassed for Mamdani — said it was his vision for New York City that was the draw for her. She and her husband briefly chatted with Mamdani at a fundraiser and she found him to be 'very friendly and genuine.' She suspects that for some who aren't very politically active, Mamdani's political ascent could make a difference. 'There's a lot of Muslim communities like my parents' generation who are focused a lot more on the politics back home and less on the politics here in America,' said Shabbir. 'Seeing people like Zohran Mamdani be in office, it'll really change that perspective in a lot of people.' Embracing Indian and Muslim roots Supporters and pundits agree that Mamdani's campaign has demonstrated social media savvy and authenticity. He visited multiple mosques. In videos, he speaks in Hindi or gives a touch of Bollywood. Other South Asian American politicians such as Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna praised that. 'I love that he didn't run away from his heritage. I mean, he did video clips with Amitabh Bachchan and Hindi movies,' Khanna said, referencing the Indian actor. 'He shows that one can embrace their roots and their heritage and yet succeed in American politics.' But his triumph also reflects 'the urgency of the economic message, the challenge that people are facing in terms of rent, in terms of the cost of living, and how speaking to that is so powerful,' the progressive California Democrat added. Tanzeela Rahman, a daughter of Muslim immigrants from Bangladesh, said she grew up 'very low income' in New York. 'I felt seen by him in a way politicians have not seen me ever,' the 29-year-old financial systems analyst said. 'I think very few people in government understand … how hard it is to survive in New York City.' She found Mamdani to be 'unabashedly Muslim' and also 'a voice, who, literally, to me sounds like a New Yorker who's stepping in and saying, hey, let's reclaim our power,' she said. While Mamdani has been speaking to the working class, he had a somewhat privileged upbringing. His mother is filmmaker Mira Nair and his father, Mahmood Mamdani, is a professor at Columbia University. He lived in Queens but attended The Bronx High School of Science. Even as a teen, he cared about social justice, Kondabolu, the comedian, recalled. His campaign messaging on issues such as affordable housing and free bus rides might not resonate with South Asian households in New York City who have income levels above the median. But, the irony is that his campaign and 'great kind of soundbites' earned support from that demographic, too, according to Sur. 'It was, I think, a surprise that he did so well among the wealthiest, including his own community,' Sur said. Mamdani's outspoken support for Palestinian causes and criticism of Israel and its military campaign in Gaza resonated with pro-Palestinian residents, including Muslims, but caused tension in the mayor's race. Some of his positions and remarks on the charged issue have drawn recriminations from opponents and some Jewish groups, though he's also been endorsed by some Jewish politicians and activists. Racism and xenophobia Mamdani's success immediately elicited strong anti-Muslim and anti-immigrant rhetoric from some high-profile conservatives on social media, including conservative media personality Charlie Kirk who posted that 'legal immigration can ruin your country.' In response, Democratic Congressman Maxwell Frost, the youngest member of Congress, tweeted 'For years they sold people the lie of 'we have no problem if you come the right way!'' His supporters aren't concerned that racism and Islamophobia will distract from Mamdani's campaign. Those feelings clearly weren't 'enough for him to lose' the primary, Kondabolu said. 'There's a new generation that wants their voice heard and that generation came out in full force, not just by voting, but by, like, getting all these other people to be emotionally invested in this candidate,' Kondabolu said. 'That's extraordinary.'
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Many South Asians and Muslims in NYC and beyond electrified by Mamdani's mayoral primary triumph
The success of Zohran Mamdani in New York City's Democratic primary for mayor is euphoric for Hari Kondabolu, a stand-up comedian who's been friends with the candidate for 15 years. Mamdani stunned the political establishment when he declared victory in the primary on Tuesday, a ranked choice election in which his strongest competition, former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, conceded defeat. When he launched his campaign, the unabashed democratic socialist ranked near the bottom of the pack. Now, the 33-year-old state assemblyman has a chance to be New York City's first Asian American and Muslim mayor. Mamdani's family came to the United States when he was 7, and he became a citizen in 2018. He was born to Indian parents in Kampala, Uganda. For Kondabolu, this moment is not just exciting, but emotional. 'I think so many of us have had those experiences in New York of being brown and in a city that has always been really diverse and feels like ours. But after 9/11, like you start to question it like, is this our city too,' Kondabolu said. 'And 25 years later ... it's surreal, like this is the same city but it's not because we've elected this person.' Mamdani's campaign has piqued the interest of many Indian, Pakistani and other South Asian Americans, as well as Muslims — even those who may not agree with Mamdani on every issue. Despite that opposition, some still see his rise as a sign of hope in a city where racism and xenophobia erupted following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. South Asians and Muslims riveted by primary in New York, and beyond Many of New York City's over 300,000 South Asian residents have been inspired by Mamdani's extraordinary trajectory. 'My mom was texting her friends to vote for him. I've never seen my mother do that before,' Kondabolu said. 'So the idea that it's gotten our whole family activated in this way — this is, like, personal.' Snigdha Sur, founder and CEO of The Juggernaut, an online publication reporting on South Asians, has been fascinated by the response from some people in India and the diaspora. 'So many global South Asians ... they're like, 'Oh, this guy is my mayor and I don't live in New York City,'' Sur said. At the same time, some are also concerned or angered by Mamdani's past remarks about Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who he publicly called a 'war criminal.' In Michigan, Thasin Sardar has been following Mamdani's ascent online. When he first heard him, he struck him as 'genuine' and he felt 'an instant connection,' he said. 'As a Muslim American, this victory puts my trust back in the people,' said Sardar, who was born and raised in India. 'I am happy that there are people who value the candidate and his policies more than his personal religious beliefs and didn't vote him down because of the color of his skin, or the fact that he was an immigrant with an uncommon name.' New York voter Zainab Shabbir said family members in California, and beyond, have also excitedly taken note. 'My family in California, they were very much like, 'Oh, it's so nice to see a South Asian Muslim candidate be a mayor of a major city,'' she said. A brother told her Mamdani's rise is a great example for his kids, she said. But the 34-year-old — who donated, voted and canvassed for Mamdani — said it was his vision for New York City that was the draw for her. She and her husband briefly chatted with Mamdani at a fundraiser and she found him to be 'very friendly and genuine.' She suspects that for some who aren't very politically active, Mamdani's political ascent could make a difference. 'There's a lot of Muslim communities like my parents' generation who are focused a lot more on the politics back home and less on the politics here in America,' said Shabbir. 'Seeing people like Zohran Mamdani be in office, it'll really change that perspective in a lot of people.' Embracing Indian and Muslim roots Supporters and pundits agree that Mamdani's campaign has demonstrated social media savvy and authenticity. He visited multiple mosques. In videos, he speaks in Hindi or gives a touch of Bollywood. Other South Asian American politicians such as Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna praised that. 'I love that he didn't run away from his heritage. I mean, he did video clips with Amitabh Bachchan and Hindi movies,' Khanna said, referencing the Indian actor. 'He shows that one can embrace their roots and their heritage and yet succeed in American politics.' But his triumph also reflects 'the urgency of the economic message, the challenge that people are facing in terms of rent, in terms of the cost of living, and how speaking to that is so powerful,' the progressive California Democrat added. Tanzeela Rahman, a daughter of Muslim immigrants from Bangladesh, said she grew up 'very low income' in New York. 'I felt seen by him in a way politicians have not seen me ever,' the 29-year-old financial systems analyst said. 'I think very few people in government understand … how hard it is to survive in New York City.' She found Mamdani to be 'unabashedly Muslim' and also 'a voice, who, literally, to me sounds like a New Yorker who's stepping in and saying, hey, let's reclaim our power,' she said. While Mamdani has been speaking to the working class, he had a somewhat privileged upbringing. His mother is filmmaker Mira Nair and his father, Mahmood Mamdani, is a professor at Columbia University. He lived in Queens but attended The Bronx High School of Science. Even as a teen, he cared about social justice, Kondabolu, the comedian, recalled. His campaign messaging on issues such as affordable housing and free bus rides might not resonate with South Asian households in New York City who have income levels above the median. But, the irony is that his campaign and 'great kind of soundbites' earned support from that demographic, too, according to Sur. 'It was, I think, a surprise that he did so well among the wealthiest, including his own community,' Sur said. Mamdani's outspoken support for Palestinian causes and criticism of Israel and its military campaign in Gaza resonated with pro-Palestinian residents, including Muslims, but caused tension in the mayor's race. Some of his positions and remarks on the charged issue have drawn recriminations from opponents and some Jewish groups, though he's also been endorsed by some Jewish politicians and activists. Racism and xenophobia Mamdani's success immediately elicited strong anti-Muslim and anti-immigrant rhetoric from some high-profile conservatives on social media, including conservative media personality Charlie Kirk who posted that 'legal immigration can ruin your country.' In response, Democratic Congressman Maxwell Frost, the youngest member of Congress, tweeted 'For years they sold people the lie of 'we have no problem if you come the right way!'' His supporters aren't concerned that racism and Islamophobia will distract from Mamdani's campaign. Those feelings clearly weren't 'enough for him to lose' the primary, Kondabolu said. 'There's a new generation that wants their voice heard and that generation came out in full force, not just by voting, but by, like, getting all these other people to be emotionally invested in this candidate,' Kondabolu said. 'That's extraordinary.' ___ Associated Press writer Matt Brown in Washington contributed to this report. ___ Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP's collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.
Newsweek
2 days ago
- Politics
- Newsweek
House Republican Wants Zohran Mamdani Deported
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Republican Rep. Andy Ogles of Tennessee wrote a letter to U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi urging her office to deport Zohran Mamdani. Ogles wrote on X, "Zohran 'little muhammad' Mamdani is an antisemitic, socialist, communist who will destroy the great City of New York. He needs to be DEPORTED. Which is why I am calling for him to be subject to denaturalization proceedings." Zohran "little muhammad" Mamdani is an antisemitic, socialist, communist who will destroy the great City of New York. He needs to be DEPORTED. Which is why I am calling for him to be subject to denaturalization proceedings. Attached is my letter to @AGPamBondi. — Rep. Andy Ogles (@RepOgles) June 26, 2025 On Tuesday evening, Mamdani, a 33-year-old self-described democratic socialist, declared victory over Andrew Cuomo, former governor of the state of New York, in the Democratic primary for the 2025 New York mayoral election. Republicans, including President Donald Trump and White House officials, have framed the upset victory by Mamdani, who could become New York City's first Muslim and Indian American mayor, as evidence of uncontrolled migration, aligning with the White House's broader strategy of keeping border policy at the center of the national conversation. Mamdani became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 2018. He was born in Kampala, Uganda, in 1991. His family moved to New York City in 1998 when he was seven years old. Newsweek reached out to Mamdani's campaign and to the White House for comment via email on Thursday. This is a breaking news story. Updates to follow.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
‘Sab theek hai': Harsh Goenka takes a dig at Indians ignoring local issues like potholes, jobs, and price rise
Industrialist Harsh Goenka has sparked a conversation online after his latest post on X (formerly Twitter), where he criticized the tendency of Indians to obsess over international politics while ignoring pressing domestic issues like potholes , joblessness, and inflation. In his post, Goenka wrote: 'We are like: Two people eat lunch in another country — we feel betrayed. Someone wins an election for a local position in a far away country — we lose sleep. Meanwhile, potholes, unemployment and price hikes at home? 'Sab theek hai.'' His sarcastic commentary came shortly after Zohran Mamdani , a 32-year-old Ugandan-born Indian American, made history by becoming the first South Asian to win a major-party primary for New York City's mayoral race. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Play War Thunder now for free War Thunder Play Now Undo Goenka's post resonated with many, drawing strong reactions from users on X. One user replied, 'Harshji, you keep bowling googlies — picking your deliveries is tough!' Live Events Another added, 'Absolutely! We're so obsessed with global affairs, even the media is. Developed nations don't care what happens here, but we are glued to their politics. Media should focus more on local issues.' Others echoed similar thoughts: 'Agree. How does someone winning a New York mayoral primary affect us? We act like global citizens while ignoring our neighborhoods. No one even asks what happened to Swachh Bharat or the cess we keep paying.' 'We're global now. Local issues didn't make the itinerary,' quipped another. Who is Zohran Mamdani? Zohran Kwame Mamdani was born in Kampala, Uganda, to Indian parents. He became a U.S. citizen in 2018 and currently lives in Astoria, Queens. His mother, Mira Nair, is a celebrated filmmaker known for movies like Monsoon Wedding, The Namesake, and Mississippi Masala. His father, Mahmood Mamdani, is a professor of anthropology at Columbia University. Mamdani moved to New York City at age 7 and graduated from Bowdoin College in Maine with a degree in Africana Studies. He previously worked as a foreclosure prevention counselor and also made a mark in the local hip-hop scene, rapping under the stage name Young Cardamom. He was elected to the New York State Assembly in 2020, unseating a long-time incumbent. As a Democratic Socialist, Mamdani has pushed for progressive legislation, including a pilot project offering free city bus rides and a bill to prevent nonprofits from supporting unauthorized Israeli settlement activities. Critics, including former Governor Andrew Cuomo, have questioned his readiness for the mayor's office. But Mamdani counters by embracing his lack of political baggage, stating he's 'proud' not to have Cuomo's 'experience of corruption, scandal and disgrace.' Mamdani's campaign has leaned heavily on creative, culturally rooted digital outreach — from Bollywood-themed TikToks to a dramatic polar plunge in a suit to symbolize his plan to 'freeze rents.'
