People have recently discovered that Zohran Mamdani appeared in a Disney movie 9 years ago.

New York’s mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani has drawn attention for his past appearance in a Disney film, Queen of Katwe, directed by his mother Mira Nair. His involvement included a small on-screen part as “Bookie Student” and various roles in the production team.

Mamdani’s ties to the film industry stem from his family background, with his father being the Ugandan academic Mahmood Mamdani. The film, a sports drama, premiered in 2016 and showcases the rise of Ugandan chess prodigy Phiona Mutesi.

Aside from the film, Mamdani's artistic pursuits included rapping under the name Young Cardamom, blending languages and cultural references. His diverse background has been noted as an element of his political brand.

Queen of Katwe cast members, like Lupita Nyong’o, have spoken positively about working with Mamdani. His credits as third assistant director and music supervisor highlight his dual role in the production.

The renewed focus on Mamdani’s film involvement coincides with his transition from the New York State Assembly to the mayoral office. While his past in the arts is part of his narrative, his campaign emphasized affordability and immigrant rights.

As Mamdani prepares to lead New York City, his cameo in Queen of Katwe has sparked discussions on his background, with supporters pointing to it as a symbol of authenticity and opponents questioning potential family advantages.