Maitreyi Ramakrishnan and Priyanka Kedia Bring Energy to Netflix’s Best of the Best

Netflix is set to release Best of the Best, a coming-of-age comedy that places two close friends at the centre of the high-pressure world of collegiate Bollywood-fusion dance. Starring Maitreyi Ramakrishnan and Priyanka Kedia, the film follows Maya and Anjali as they join UCLA’s competitive dance team and discover that the path to a national championship is far more intense and complicated than they expected. The movie arrives on the streaming platform on 18 September 2026.

Directed by Lena Khan and written by Hasan Minhaj and Prashanth Venkataramanujam, the story blends humour, friendship, cultural identity and the physical demands of competitive performance. It draws on the real experiences of South Asian students navigating college life, family expectations and the vibrant yet cutthroat circuit of Bollywood-style dance competitions across the United States.

A Story of Friendship and Ambition

Maya, played by Maitreyi Ramakrishnan, is described as full of spunk and determination. She pushes her childhood best friend Anjali, portrayed by Priyanka Kedia, to try out for the team. What begins as a shared passion quickly becomes a test of loyalty, identity and personal growth. The film explores how ambition can strain even the strongest bonds while also celebrating the joy and cultural connection that dance provides.

The competitive Bollywood-fusion scene serves as more than a colourful backdrop. On many American college campuses, these teams function as important spaces for South Asian community building and cultural expression. The movie captures both the exhilaration of performance and the intensity of preparation, rivalry and the desire to prove oneself.

Hasan Minhaj, who co-wrote the screenplay and appears in the film, has noted that the story reflects real experiences from the Desi diaspora. The narrative balances comedy with heartfelt moments about belonging, family pressure and the search for individual identity within a collective cultural framework.

The Leads and Their Preparation

Maitreyi Ramakrishnan rose to prominence as Devi Vishwakumar in the Netflix series Never Have I Ever. Born in Canada to Sri Lankan Tamil parents, she has often spoken about her Tamil identity and the importance of authentic representation. Her presence in Best of the Best continues a trajectory of roles that engage with South Asian experiences in Western settings.

Priyanka Kedia plays Anjali, a character navigating the tension between being the supportive friend and discovering her own ambitions. The two actors underwent intensive training to prepare for the film’s demanding dance sequences. Reports describe months of daily classes with professional dancers, treating the preparation like athletic training that required attention to physical conditioning, nutrition and recovery.

The physical commitment underscores the film’s respect for the skill and discipline involved in competitive dance. Multiple large-scale choreographed numbers form a central part of the storytelling, requiring the leads to move with precision, energy and emotional expression.

Supporting Cast and Creative Team

The ensemble includes Ankur Rathee, Janina Gavankar, Chaneil Kular, Shreya Navile, Lilly Singh, Nico Greetham and others. Hasan Minhaj appears as a college professor, adding another layer of comic and cultural insight. Director Lena Khan previously collaborated with Ramakrishnan on Never Have I Ever and brings experience balancing humour with character-driven storytelling.

The creative team has emphasised the film’s dual nature as both a lively dance movie and a thoughtful examination of friendship and diaspora life. The script aims to feel specific to the South Asian American experience while remaining accessible and entertaining to a broad audience.

Cultural Resonance and Tamil Connections

Maitreyi Ramakrishnan’s Tamil background adds a personal dimension to the project. In previous work, including dance sequences in Never Have I Ever, she has participated in performances that drew on South Indian musical and cultural elements. While Best of the Best centres on Bollywood-fusion styles popular on American campuses, the involvement of actors with strong South Asian roots contributes to the film’s authenticity.

Promotional materials and early looks have highlighted the energy, colour and movement that define the competitive dance world. The film’s marketing has leaned into the excitement of performance and the playful rivalry between the two leads, positioning the story as both fun and emotionally grounded.

Why the Film Matters

Best of the Best arrives at a moment when stories about South Asian diaspora experiences continue to find wider audiences. By setting the drama within the specific subculture of collegiate Bollywood-fusion dance, the film offers a fresh angle on familiar themes of ambition, belonging and friendship. It also showcases the physical artistry and cultural pride that many young people express through dance.

For Ramakrishnan, the role marks a significant step following her breakout television success. For Kedia, it provides a prominent platform to explore a character balancing loyalty and self-discovery. Together they anchor a story that celebrates movement, music and the complicated bonds of chosen family.

As the September release approaches, anticipation centres on the chemistry between the two leads, the quality of the choreography and the film’s ability to balance comedy with genuine emotional stakes. Early descriptions suggest a movie that respects the seriousness of competition while never losing sight of the joy that draws people to the dance floor in the first place.

Best of the Best invites viewers into a world where friendship is tested, identity is explored and every performance carries the weight of personal and cultural meaning. With its focus on two young women navigating both the stage and their own lives, the film aims to deliver energy, humour and heart in equal measure.

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