Hasan Minhaj, Maitreyi Ramakrishnan and Priyanka Kedia Discuss Best of the Best and South Asian Representation

Netflix’s new coming-of-age comedy-drama Best of the Best is drawing attention not only for its story of friendship, ambition and identity, but also for the strong South Asian representation behind and in front of the camera.

In a recent episode of Hasan Minhaj’s podcast, Hasan Minhaj Doesn’t Know, Minhaj was joined by the film’s two leads, Maitreyi Ramakrishnan and Priyanka Kedia. The conversation explored the making of the film, their experiences on set, South Asian representation in Hollywood and several aspects of their personal journeys.

A story of friendship, ambition and identity

Best of the Best follows childhood best friends Maya, played by Maitreyi Ramakrishnan, and Anjali, played by Priyanka Kedia. The two young women join UCLA’s highly competitive Bollywood-fusion dance team, where their friendship is tested as they pursue the dream of competing for a U.S. championship.

Directed by Lena Khan and written by Hasan Minhaj and Prashanth Venkataramanujam, the film combines comedy and drama while exploring themes of sisterhood, friendship, self-acceptance and ambition.

The movie was released on Netflix on September 18, 2026, with a runtime of approximately one hour and 52 minutes.

A major South Asian presence

One of the central themes surrounding Best of the Best is representation. The project brings together a predominantly South Asian cast and creative team, providing a platform for stories rooted in South Asian experiences while presenting them within the setting of American college life.

During the podcast conversation, Minhaj, Ramakrishnan and Kedia discussed why representation matters and how their individual backgrounds influenced their performances.

The involvement of director Lena Khan also adds to the film's South Asian creative identity. Rather than treating cultural identity merely as a backdrop, the film incorporates it into the characters, their relationships and their aspirations.

Four months of intensive dance training

The physical demands of the film were another major topic of discussion.

Ramakrishnan and Kedia underwent an intensive dance boot camp lasting around four months as they prepared for their roles. Their training involved long hours in dance studios, including sessions at Millennium Dance Complex.

The preparation was necessary because the dance sequences are an important part of the film's narrative. The actors had to develop not only their individual performances but also the coordination required to appear as members of a competitive dance team.

The demanding training experience became an important part of their preparation for the characters and contributed to the camaraderie that developed among the cast.

Tamil culture finds a place in the film

The film also carries a visible Tamil cultural connection through Maitreyi Ramakrishnan, whose Tamil heritage has been an important part of her public identity.

The promotional campaign for Best of the Best featured Ramakrishnan and Priyanka Kedia dancing to the Tamil song “Maamadura Annakodi,” adding a distinctly Tamil cultural element to the film's publicity.

The use of Tamil music and dance connects the Hollywood project with the broader South Asian and Tamil diaspora experience. It also highlights how regional cultures can find space within mainstream American entertainment.

More than just a promotional interview

Although the podcast episode includes plenty of lighter moments, the discussion goes beyond conventional movie promotion.

Minhaj, Ramakrishnan and Kedia spoke about their experiences working together, their individual personalities and how they approached their characters. The conversation also touched on topics ranging from technology and cosplay to personal experiences and future career plans.

Priyanka Kedia also discussed her journey as an actor, while the conversation gave listeners an opportunity to understand the personalities behind Maya and Anjali.

A film reflecting changing Hollywood representation

Best of the Best arrives at a time when South Asian stories and performers are becoming increasingly visible in mainstream American entertainment.

The film's combination of American college life, competitive dance, friendship and South Asian cultural identity reflects the experiences of a younger generation growing up between different cultural worlds.

For Maitreyi Ramakrishnan and Priyanka Kedia, the project represents an opportunity to portray South Asian characters whose lives involve ambition, friendship and personal challenges rather than being defined solely by their ethnicity.

The podcast conversation with Hasan Minhaj provides additional insight into that creative process and the experiences behind the film.

Ultimately, Best of the Best seeks to combine the energy of competitive dance with a story about friendship, identity and self-discovery. Its strong South Asian presence, along with its incorporation of Tamil cultural elements, makes the film a notable addition to the growing representation of South Asian communities in mainstream American cinema.