Dan Scavino, Assistant to the U.S. President and White House Deputy Chief of Staff, set social media abuzz with his unique congratulatory message for Indian-origin Kash Patel. Patel, who was born to Gujarati parents in the United States, was officially appointed as the ninth Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) by President Donald Trump.
In a creative twist, Scavino posted a video featuring a scene from the popular Bollywood song ‘Malhari’ from the 2015 film Bajirao Mastani, originally starring Ranveer Singh. However, in this version, Patel’s face was superimposed onto Singh’s, making for a dramatic and celebratory edit.
Accompanying the video, Scavino captioned his post with: “Congratulations to the new Director of the FBI, Kash Patel.” The choice of song lyrics added further excitement, with lines translating to, “That little spark has grown slowly,” and another that describes the crushing defeat of enemies.
Social media users quickly took notice, with many attempting to translate the lyrics for non-Indian audiences. One user pointed out that ‘Malhari’ is a widely recognized and high-energy song in India. Others expressed amusement and appreciation for the Bollywood reference.
This is not the first time Scavino has used Bajirao Mastani to make a political statement. In 2019, he shared a similar edited video featuring Donald Trump’s face superimposed onto Ranveer Singh’s in the same song. At the time, the video gained significant traction, with international users curious about the source of the energetic dance sequence.
The latest post continues to generate buzz, with mixed reactions from netizens. While many appreciated the lighthearted congratulatory gesture, others saw it as an unusual choice for a major political appointment announcement.
Patel’s appointment marks a significant moment, as he becomes the first Indian-American to hold the position of FBI Director. His career has been closely associated with the Trump administration, having served in key national security roles prior to his latest appointment.
As the Internet continues to react to Scavino’s Bollywood-style congratulations, it is evident that the fusion of pop culture and politics remains a powerful tool in digital diplomacy and public engagement.
