shot-button
BMC Elections 2026 BMC Elections 2026
Home > News > World News > Article > How Zohran Mamdanis bold campaign design and Bollywood inspired colours redefine New York politics

How Zohran Mamdani’s bold campaign design and Bollywood-inspired colours redefine New York politics

Updated on: 09 November,2025 09:28 AM IST  |  New York
Agencies |

Zohran Mamdani’s vivid blue and orange campaign posters, inspired by Bollywood aesthetics, captured New York City’s attention during his historic mayoral run. As NYC’s first Muslim and South Asian mayor, Mamdani’s design choices reflected the city’s diverse cultural identity and grassroots spirit

How Zohran Mamdani’s bold campaign design and Bollywood-inspired colours redefine New York politics

Zohran Mamdani made his historic run for New York City mayor with his vivid coloured campaigns. PIC/X@ZohranKMamdani

Listen to this article
How Zohran Mamdani’s bold campaign design and Bollywood-inspired colours redefine New York politics
x
00:00

The vivid blue campaign signs with bold orange lettering were impossible to miss as Zohran Mamdani made his historic and improbable run for New York City mayor this summer. On storefront windows and telephone poles from Queens to the Bronx, the “Zohran for New York City” signs stood out from the standard red, white and blue campaign fodder.

Pic/Lehman.edu
Pic/Lehman.edu


The lettering was seen by many as an intentional reference to old-school Bollywood posters — a subtle nod to Mamdani’s Indian heritage. Mamdani’s main adversary, former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, even rebranded midcampaign. After his defeat to Mamdani in the June Democratic primary, Cuomo kicked off his general election run as an independent candidate by rolling out a new logo featuring the silhouette of the Statue of Liberty’s crown and a new colour scheme: blue and orange — Mamdani’s colours, but also the colours of the Knicks and Mets.



Mamdani, who will be the city’s first Muslim and South Asian mayor, is the son of two prominent Indian American luminaries, Columbia University professor Mahmood Mamdani and filmmaker Mira Nair, who is known for “Monsoon Wedding” and other Hollywood films. The popularity of Mamdani’s designs was certainly felt during the New York City mayoral race, helping inspire offbeat, viral campaigns such as the “Hot Girls for Zohran” merch worn by model Emily Ratajkowski and other young celebrities.

David Schwittek, a professor of digital media and graphic design at Lehman College, said, “They [posters] evoke the working-class fabric of New York City: the bodegas, taxi cabs, and halal carts that not only sustain the city but also reflect its cultural richness... In a sea of sanitised political messaging, Mamdani’s visuals stand out because they mean something.”

This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever

"Exciting news! Mid-day is now on WhatsApp Channels Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!

Did you find this article helpful?

Yes
No

Help us improve further by providing more detailed feedback and stand a chance to win a 3-month e-paper subscription! Click Here

Note: Winners will be selected via a lucky draw.

Help us improve further by providing more detailed feedback and stand a chance to win a 3-month e-paper subscription! Click Here

Note: Winners will be selected via a lucky draw.

new york city world news International news new york united states of america

Mid-Day Web Stories

Mid-Day Web Stories

This website uses cookie or similar technologies, to enhance your browsing experience and provide personalised recommendations. By continuing to use our website, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy. OK