Kash Patel’s first day as FBI director: Bollywood memes, trolls and cheers lead the internet

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The internet erupted in a meme frenzy after Kash Patel was confirmed as the new FBI Director by the US Senate. While political circles debated his appointment, social media had its own way of celebrating—through viral memes. The standout moment? Donald Trump’s former aide, Dan Scavino, shared a Bollywood meme featuring Patel in a grand warrior-style entrance, sparking a flood of reactions online.

A Bollywood warrior takes over the FBI?

Scavino, known for his social media prowess, took to X (formerly Twitter) to post an edited clip from the Bollywood blockbuster Bajirao Mastani. The original scene features actor Ranveer Singh as the fearless Maratha warrior Bajirao, dancing to the triumphant song Malhari after a victorious battle. However, in this new version, Singh’s face was replaced with Patel’s, symbolizing his dramatic entry into the FBI’s top position.

The meme quickly went viral, with users across the political spectrum reacting in amusement, disbelief, and curiosity. Some found it hilarious, others questioned if Americans even understood the Bollywood reference, while many simply enjoyed the unexpected crossover.

Social media bursts with reactions

As the meme circulated, social media users had a field day with their own interpretations:

“Kash Patel walking into the FBI office on Day 1 like a Bollywood hero—this is GOLD!” one user wrote.

“Malhari means ‘celebration after victory’… this meme is actually spot on!” another pointed out.

“I love this meme so much, and I’ve had such a hard time finding a good-quality version of it. Thank you for pulling this out of the ether! Saving for later.”

“Americans using Bollywood memes without knowing the context is my favorite genre of the internet.”

“If Patel actually entered his office with this song playing, I’d pay to see that!”

Some users even created their own versions of the meme, adding sound effects and captions like “Patel cleaning house at the FBI like…” while using Bollywood action scenes.

Kash Patel reacts: ‘Mission First. America Always.’

While the internet was busy with memes, Patel took to X with a serious message about his new role. In his first public statement as FBI Director, he emphasized his commitment to restoring public trust in the agency.

“I am honored to serve as the ninth Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The American people deserve an agency that operates with integrity and fairness. Alongside the hardworking men and women of the FBI, we will restore the agency’s reputation. And to those who seek to harm Americans—take this as a warning. We will find you, no matter where you hide. Mission First. America Always. Now, let’s get to work.”

His no-nonsense message signaled a tough stance on national security and law enforcement. However, online users couldn’t help but wonder: would Patel secretly enjoy the Bollywood meme that had turned him into an internet sensation?

Memes and politics: A new age of communication

The use of memes in political discourse has been on the rise, and this incident proves just how powerful they can be. Patel’s appointment itself is a significant moment—an Indian-American leading the FBI under a Trump administration, a move that has drawn both praise and criticism. But in the world of the internet, it was the Bollywood meme that stole the show.

With Malhari blasting in the background, Kash Patel may have just had one of the most dramatic FBI director debuts ever—at least in the meme world.

TOI World Desk

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