Netflix is turning up the volume with its upcoming comedy Best of the Best, a vibrant new film that brings competitive collegiate dance, friendship and Bollywood fusion together. Starring Maitreyi Ramakrishnan and Priyanka Kedia, the movie promises a high energy mix of comedy, rivalry and coming of age emotions when it arrives on the streaming platform on September 18.
Netflix unveiled the first poster for the film, giving audiences a colourful glimpse into the world of competitive Bollywood style dance. The poster puts the two leading stars front and centre alongside energetic dance imagery, perfectly matching the film's playful spirit. The tagline It takes two to take over hints at the strong friendship at the heart of the story and the ambitious journey that awaits the characters.
Best of the Best follows two childhood best friends who find themselves entering the fiercely competitive world of a UCLA Bollywood fusion dance team. What begins as an exciting opportunity quickly turns into a battle of talent, ambition and loyalty as the friends chase their dream of reaching the national championship. With intense rehearsals and cutthroat competition thrown into the mix, their friendship is likely to be tested just as much as their dancing skills.
Maitreyi Ramakrishnan, best known for her breakout role in Never Have I Ever, takes on another young and energetic character with the new comedy. Priyanka Kedia joins her as the other half of the central friendship, with the two actors expected to bring plenty of chemistry and humour to the story. Their characters' shared history gives the film an emotional foundation beneath all the flashy choreography and competitive drama.
The film is directed by Lena Khan, who already has a connection with Ramakrishnan after directing episodes of Never Have I Ever. That reunion adds another interesting layer to Best of the Best, particularly as the new movie gives them the chance to explore a completely different setting and tone. This time, the focus shifts from teenage life to collegiate ambition, cultural identity and the exhilarating world of competitive dance.
Best of the Best also boasts an interesting writing team, with Hasan Minhaj and Prashanth Venkataramanujam credited as writers. Minhaj also appears in the film, adding another familiar face to the cast. The story looks set to explore friendship, heritage and young adulthood while using dance as the colourful backdrop for a larger story about ambition and finding one's place.
The Bollywood fusion element could also give the movie a distinctive identity on Netflix. Competitive dance films have long had a knack for combining spectacular performances with personal stories, but Best of the Best appears ready to add its own cultural flavour. The UCLA setting and national championship goal provide the competitive stakes, while the friendship between the two leads gives the film its emotional heartbeat.
Fans will not have to wait long for a closer look at the movie. Netflix has confirmed that the trailer will drop on August 18, giving audiences their first extended glimpse of the characters, dance performances and rivalry driving the story. With the trailer arriving just weeks before the film's September 18 premiere, anticipation is expected to build quickly.
With Maitreyi Ramakrishnan and Priyanka Kedia leading the cast, Lena Khan behind the camera and a story packed with dance, comedy and friendship, Best of the Best could be one of Netflix's more colourful releases this season. If the promise of the first poster is anything to go by, this is a competition where the moves will be big, the rivalry will be fierce and friendship will be put to the ultimate test.