Representative image / Canva

Ten years ago, if someone had predicted that political contests would look like a chaotic fusion episode of Koffee with Karan, TikTok dance challenges, and a Brooklyn block party, most of us would have laughed. Politics was stiff, predictable, and painfully serious. But fast-forward to 2025, and suddenly politics isn’t just interesting,

it’s the centre of attention. The shift has been loud, colourful, unapologetically chaotic, and perfectly Gen Z-coded, embodied most iconically by Zohran Mamdani’s NYC mayoral campaign.

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The old-school era of monotonous podium speeches and those uncreative “I approve this message” ads is officially over. Mamdani and his team practically turned New York City into a giant dance floor where politics wasn’t walking - it was wiggling, memeing, vibing, and proudly breaking every rule of the traditional campaign playbook. It felt less like a citywide political movement and more like the internet had taken over real life and decided to have some fun with democracy.

What was different? The room was electric. Supporters were screaming. Volunteers wore trendy merch. Energy was bouncing off the walls. And Mamdani, instead of delivering a textbook victory speech broke into a full-on performance of “Dhoom Machale,” dancing with the confidence of a baraat leader marching straight into City Hall. It wasn’t a gimmick. It was a statement. It’s marketing — but fun! A clear signal that political campaigns have evolved. They have entered their jazziest, wildest era. 

For the Indian American youth, this jazzy shift hits differently. They don’t care for stiff press conferences or painfully rehearsed monologues. They no longer fit into that conventional political mold. They want something real, something they can resonate with – the relatable mess with personality. They want representation. When Mamdani played Bollywood, he was not just celebrating a win. He’s telling every brown kid watching: “Hey! Your identity belongs here. You no longer need to be in the side lane.”

What’s the real reason behind this madness? 

There are several nuances to it. The third generation Indian-American is more aware and fired up about the causes. From climate action to immigration rights, gun violence, and student debt — these aren’t abstract topics. These causes have been in the news for a long time; they shape their lives.

They want a leader who can look them dead in the eye and say, “Yeah, I understand. I agree that rent is disgusting and groceries cost more than your entire degree.” But to drive any of these causes, one needs passion, and passion needs a spark. So, the new political style, which centers on activism, makes it feel like a community hangout. A candidate may speak about justice and yet show up in sneakers. This doesn’t mean the issues aren’t serious — it means the connection doesn’t have to be boring and typical cookie-cutter. It has to be real. 

This new political aesthetic isn’t random. It’s strategic.

But not everyone is loving it. The first or even the second generation Indian-Americans are wondering if politics has become too flashy. “Are we voting for good policies or viral content?” Fair question. Political experts say the jazziness isn’t replacing substance — it’s, in fact, adding on to it.

For many first-timers, a meme might be the doorway into caring about elections at all. A TikTok video may bring many under the same roof – from queer voters, desi aunties, tired college students to retail workers, bodega uncles, and random subway passengers – all united under the same digital rainbow vibing, laughing, and campaigning together. 

Haven’t you heard ‘Enthusiasm is contagious’. If the entire family (from 90-year-old granny to 16-year-old ‘I know everything’ teenager) is discussing politics on a Thanksgiving table – That’s more voices in democracy — not fewer.

So, yes, American politics is getting louder, brighter, and bolder. And listen…It needed that glam. Democracy was never meant to be a silent spectator sport. It was meant to be lived and celebrated. And sometimes, living looks like dancing to “Dhoom Machale” with your community after making your voice heard at the ballot box.