Viral on Instagram: Zohran Mamdani's resemblance to popular Marvel actor shocks the internet

While he might be the son of a director, there's something truly hero-esque about Zohran Mamdani that you just can't miss. It's not just in his camera-worthy smile or suited looks, it's how he walks the fine line between his idealism and people's hopes.Now, it seems people on the internet have finally figured out the perfect character to associate him with. A photo of Mamdani and actor Charlie Cox has been circulating on Instagram, showing the uncanny resemblance between their looks. From the smile lines to the slightly closed eyes, the two could surely give each other a competition for the best smile.

While one would limit this coincidental similarity to physical features, some can't help but wonder just how similar the new mayor of New York is to Cox's popular Marvel character Matt Murdock aka Daredevil.

"If not Daredevil, why Matt Murdock shape?" pondered the caption of the photo.

Netizens react to the post

Many in the comments found the character to relate to Mamdani's personality and shared their thoughts about it."Daredevil saving NYC in a different way, different timeline," said a comment."Bro defeated the Fisk and became the mayor himself," added another."Bro’s gonna fix the Hell’s Kitchen," one wrote, and many agreed to acknowledge the surprising resemblance between Mamdani and the actor.

Is Zohran Mamdani New York's Daredevil?

Daredevil is a Marvel comic book character who is a lawyer by day and a vigilante by night. Based in New York City, he fights crimes around the neighbourhood of Hell's Kitchen.Since 1964, people have been reading and loving the character who has fought everything from politics to corruption and stood for human rights. He is the heart of the streets of New York, which is the centre of the Marvel Universe and is a character built on contradiction with his profession and passion standing on two different tangents.When it comes to Mamdani, you instantly see the resemblance. The 34-year-old is a smiling mayor during the day and a fighter for immigrants by night. From affordable housing to religious freedom, he has been a vocal campaigner for it all. He is now at the heart of New York City, which is the financial centre of the American universe. While Daredevil uses his fists, Mamdani uses his words - at times with a smile, others with a smirk.

With the dream of socialism in his heart, he has entered and won the most capitalised and commodified title in New York, that of a mayor.Like the Marvel character, he operates on his own principles, even when they clash with those in power. Consider this, he has his own Fisk in the form of the President. He promised to and is fighting to reform an institution that he campaigned months to become a part of. Both are fluent in the language of justice and have each chosen a form to deliver it with.Now, the resemblance to Charlie Cox becomes almost symbolic and poetic. Both men project a calm charisma but carry in their actions a frustration for righteousness. They are men of grit, resisting, to fight the system for the people.Here, the viral comparison doesn't just stick to looks, it kindles with their spirit. While politics might as well be a performative stage, the act is what matters, and Mamdani has got that sorted. Not only in his looks, but also in his role.So yes, Zohran Mamdani could be New York City's real-life Daredevil, just one without a cape and a penchant for fighting at night. Because sometimes, heroes need to work in the daylight, through the right means, with the help of the people.