Andhra-Born Dipika Damerla Uses ‘Kya Hua Tera Wada’ For Mayoral Campaign

Andhra-born politician Dipika Damerla, who is contesting for mayor of Mississauga in Canada, has turned to Bollywood music to connect with voters, using a popular Hindi film song to communicate her promise of no property tax hike if elected.

Damerla shared the campaign video on X with the caption, “After that spicy mayoral debate, here's a little palate cleanser.”

Titled Dipika Damerla For Mississauga Mayor, the video features Damerla singing a modified version of the popular Hindi song ‘Kya Hua Tera Wada’. Reworking the familiar melody into an election message, she assures residents that she will not increase property taxes if she becomes mayor.

The video concludes with the campaign slogan, “A city that works”, followed by an appeal for voters to support her candidacy. By combining Bollywood music with a local civic issue, Damerla is using a familiar cultural reference to draw attention to one of her key campaign promises.

Who Is Dipika Damerla?

According to the official website of the City of Mississauga, Damerla was elected to the city council in 2018, representing Ward 7. She has also served as a Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP), representing Mississauga East–Cooksville for seven years.

During her tenure at the provincial level, she served as Ontario’s Associate Minister of Health and Long-Term Care and Minister of Seniors Affairs. Her work included advocating for 350 new beds at Mississauga Hospital, two new long-term care homes, two new schools and a 40% increase in service on the Milton GO line.

Before entering politics, Damerla worked in corporate banking and ran a small business in Mississauga. She holds an MBA in Finance from the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management.

Zohran Mamdani’s Bollywood-Inspired Campaign Approach

Damerla’s use of Bollywood music follows a campaign communication style that has also featured in New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani’s election campaign. Mamdani drew attention for Bollywood-inspired videos that combined cinematic storytelling with political messaging to engage voters.

Damerla has adopted a similar approach in her Mississauga mayoral bid, using a recognisable Hindi film melody to convey a local policy promise. The video highlights how music and popular culture can serve as tools for political outreach, particularly when candidates seek to connect with diverse communities through familiar cultural references.