Netflix's 'Best Of The Best' offers a fresh South Asian-American coming-of-age tale
Directed by Lena Khan, the film stars Maitreyi Ramakrishnan and Priyanka Kedia as college freshmen who bond over dance while navigating cultural expectations. Co-written by Hasan Minhaj, it blends Bollywood influences with a modern American story. The review gives it a B+.
The film marks a notable collaboration between Hasan Minhaj, known for his comedy specials and political commentary, and director Lena Khan, whose previous work includes the indie comedy "The Tiger Hunter." Production features choreography by Joya Kazi, whose routines span Bollywood tributes, South Indian kuthu, and classical forms, giving the dance sequences a wide stylistic range. The UCLA setting grounds the story in a real collegiate subculture, as the fictional Agni troupe mirrors actual South Asian dance teams that compete nationally. Supporting cast members appear briefly, particularly the mothers, whose scenes hint at deeper family dynamics that the main plot only partially explores.
This film could resonate strongly with South Asian-American audiences who rarely see their experiences centered in mainstream American cinema. By pairing cultural specificity with universal coming-of-age themes, it may also reach broader viewers unfamiliar with diaspora traditions. The college dance competition framework offers an accessible entry point, potentially sparking conversations about parental expectations, cultural identity, and the balance between heritage and personal ambition among younger generations navigating similar pressures.