‘Best of the Best’ Cast and Character Guide: Meet the Stars of Netflix’s Collegiate Dance Comedy

The collegiate competition subgenre has experienced a vibrant renaissance across major streaming platforms over the past several years. Audiences have continually gravitated toward stories blending high-energy physical choreography with intense campus rivalries, channeling the spirit of classic ensemble tournament comedies like ‘Pitch Perfect’ and ‘Bring It On’. Within this evolving cinematic space, Netflix’s ‘Best of the Best’ cast brings fresh cultural authenticity and comedic flair to the competitive collegiate dance circuit.

For decades, mainstream studio features exploring university performing arts rarely expanded beyond the traditional frameworks of cheerleading routines, marching bands, or competitive acapella showcases. However, the real-world collegiate Bollywood-fusion dance ecosystem represents an equally demanding athletic circuit where thousands of student performers dedicate countless late-night hours to grueling rehearsals. Capturing this specialized world required a creative team capable of honoring the rich cultural heritage and comedic quirks unique to the collegiate competition circuit.

That creative vision came together under the direction of Lena Khan and the screenwriting team of Hasan Minhaj and Prashanth Venkataramanujam. The film centers on two lifelong best friends who arrive at UCLA and decide to audition for the university’s elite Bollywood-fusion dance squad, only to discover the national championship race is cutthroat and chaotic. Minhaj explained that “Best of the Best is a film about sisterhood, friendship, and self-acceptance,” as reported by DESIblitz, framing the story as a balance between laugh-out-loud collegiate comedy and emotional authenticity.

The Dynamic Leads Anchoring the UCLA Dance Squad

At the emotional center of the story is Maitreyi Ramakrishnan, who stars as Maya, an ambitious freshman navigating university independence for the first time. Ramakrishnan previously captured global attention as the star of Netflix’s acclaimed coming-of-age comedy ‘Never Have I Ever’ and appeared in Disney’s ‘Freakier Friday’. In ‘Best of the Best’, she brings signature comedic timing and vulnerability to a protagonist who must balance team ambitions with personal growth.

Starring opposite Ramakrishnan is rising performer Priyanka Kedia, who portrays Maya’s fiercely supportive childhood best friend, Anjali. When the project finalized its central cast, American Kahani reported that Kedia and Ramakrishnan had officially boarded the production to lead the dance-driven feature. Kedia delivers spirited charisma as Anjali, whose spontaneous decision to join the campus team sparks the film’s high-energy tournament journey.

Providing comedic mentorship to the students is Hasan Minhaj, who takes on the supporting on-screen role of Professor Hamza Latif. In addition to his acting role, the two-time Peabody Award winner serves as a screenwriter and producer on the feature through his banner 186K Films alongside Venkataramanujam. Minhaj infuses his academic character with the sharp, conversational humor familiar to fans of his Netflix series ‘Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj’.

A Star-Studded Supporting Ensemble of Rivals and Teammates

The competitive atmosphere inside the rehearsal hall is elevated by a standout supporting roster featuring several prominent television actors. Ankur Rathee, widely recognized for his work in projects like ‘Four More Shots Please!’ and ‘Shehzada’, brings charm and theatrical authority to the ensemble. Meanwhile, Chaneil Kular, celebrated for his role as Anwar in Netflix’s hit dramedy ‘Sex Education’, plays a key role within the demanding collegiate competitive circle.

Adding further star power to the squad’s world is multitalented entertainer Lilly Singh, who portrays a dynamic campus figure connected to the tournament scene. Singh, who made history hosting ‘A Little Late with Lilly Singh’, brings her seasoned physical comedy and digital presence to the film. She is joined by veteran actress Janina Gavankar, known for ‘The Morning Show’ and ‘True Blood’, who supplies poise and sharp dramatic intensity to the university administration backdrop.

The broader student dance troupe features a blend of rising Hollywood performers and theater talent who bring diverse personalities to the stage. Nico Greetham from Netflix’s musical ‘The Prom’ appears alongside stage actor Nihar Duvvuri, Becky Alex, and Shreya Navile. The vibrant ensemble is rounded out by Sasha Bhasin of ‘XO, Kitty’, Amryn Khurana, Tanishq Joshi, and Saara Chaudry, each capturing the distinct quirks of dedicated student dancers.

Directorial Vision and Behind-the-Scenes Production

Bringing the electric energy of collegiate Bollywood-fusion competitions to life required a director with a proven touch for both cultural specificity and vibrant comedy. When the film originally moved into development, Variety confirmed that Lena Khan had signed on to helm the feature project. Having previously directed Disney’s family adventure ‘Flora & Ulysses’ as well as episodes of ‘Never Have I Ever’, Khan possessed an established creative rapport with Ramakrishnan.

Filming for the project took place across locations in New Jersey during late 2025, meticulously transforming local collegiate facilities into the sun-soaked campus of UCLA. The ensemble underwent intensive rehearsal camps to master intricate choreography that blends classical Indian styles, street hip-hop, and contemporary dance. These elaborate routines mirror real collegiate competitions where teams assemble five-minute narrative sets combining intricate formations with rapid costume quick-changes.

Backed by Rideback producers Dan Lin and Jonathan Eirich alongside Minhaj’s team, ‘Best of the Best’ serves as both a crowd-pleasing sports comedy and a landmark celebration of collegiate performing arts. The production showcases how university clubs function as vital spaces for identity, community building, and creative expression. By centering South Asian joy and competitive camaraderie, the project expands the boundaries of traditional campus entertainment for a global streaming audience.

Which performance from the cast of ‘Best of the Best’ are you most looking forward to watching on Netflix?

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