Netflix has expanded its catalog of coming-of-age comedies with ‘Best of the Best’, a energetic film directed by Lena Khan. Set against the high-stakes backdrop of UCLA’s competitive Bollywood-fusion dance circuit, the story follows lifelong best friends who dive into a world of complex choreography, fierce rivalries, and growing pains.
If you are looking to learn more about the stars bringing this dance comedy to life, here is a breakdown of the cast of Netflix’s Best of the Best.
The Lead Duo: Maya & Anjali
DYNAMIC DANCE DUO
MAYA (Maitreyi Ramakrishnan) ──► Determined, fierce leader driving the team
ANJALI (Priyanka Kedia) ──► Finding her own voice & breaking her shell
1. Maitreyi Ramakrishnan as Maya
Best known for her star-making turn as Devi Vishwakumar in Mindy Kaling’s hit series Never Have I Ever, Maitreyi Ramakrishnan returns to Netflix in a brand-new avatar. Playing Maya, she transitions from high school adolescence into the pressures of young adulthood. Despite having no prior dance experience before joining the cast, Ramakrishnan underwent four months of intensive dance boot camp—training up to 14 hours a day—to perform intricate Bollywood-fusion choreography and stunts.
2. Priyanka Kedia as Anjali
Making a breakout performance, Priyanka Kedia stars as Anjali, Maya’s inseparable childhood best friend. While Maya drives the group forward, Anjali’s arc centers on stepping out of her shell, navigating strict expectations, and establishing her own identity in college. Kedia, who had some prior background in dance, matches Ramakrishnan step-for-step in dynamic duet routines and high-energy numbers.
Key Supporting Cast & Cameos
The movie features a star-studded ensemble cast that adds comedic depth, cultural commentary, and high energy to the collegiate dance scene:
| Actor / Star | Role / Presence | Notable For |
| Hasan Minhaj | Key Supporting Cast | Award-winning comedian, host of Patriot Act, and star of Homecoming King. |
| Lilly Singh | Supporting Ensemble | Global YouTube creator, author, and late-night host. |
| Ankur Rathee | Dance Team Rival / Partner | Known for roles in Shehzada, Single Papa, and Four More Shots Please!. |
Behind the Scenes: The Intensive Dance Training
To ensure the dance sequences felt authentic to the world of competitive collegiate Bollywood-fusion, director Lena Khan brought in world-class choreographers Phillip Chbeeb and Makenzie Dustman.
- 4 Months of Dance Boot Camp: The cast trained at iconic Los Angeles studios, including Millennium Dance Complex and Movement Lifestyle Studio.
- Real Stunts & Precision: From complex acrobatic flips to synchronized group formations, the lead actors performed their own key choreography beats throughout the film.
Essential Viewing Details
- [ ] Release Date: Streaming globally on Netflix starting September 18.
- [ ] Genre: Coming-of-age comedy, dance, drama.
- [ ] Director: Lena Khan (Flora & Ulysses).
- [ ] Key Themes: Friendship, cultural identity, collegiate competition, self-acceptance.