Best of the Best is making waves as a high-energy dance comedy currently streaming on Netflix. Directed by Lena Khan and written by Hasan Minhaj and Prashanth Venkataramanujam, the film follows childhood best friends Maya and Anjali as they join UCLA’s competitive Bollywood-fusion dance team. Their journey to the U.S. Championship proves to be far more raucous and cutthroat than they ever anticipated.
The movie features dynamic choreography by Phillip Chbeeb and Makenzie Chbeeb, with co-choreography by Joya Kazi. It boasts a talented ensemble cast featuring Maitreyi Ramakrishnan, Priyanka Kedia, Ankur Rathee, Janina Gavankar, Chaneil Kular, Becky Alex, Shreya Navile, and Hasan Minhaj, alongside special appearances from stars like Lilly Singh and Nico Greetham.
Recently, director Lena Khan sat down with journalist Maria Akhtar to discuss the creative vision behind the film, particularly how the dance sequences were integrated seamlessly into the plot.
Making Dance Part of the Plot
When asked how she managed to direct and shoot dance sequences without making them feel like standalone music videos and instead keeping them tied to the storyline, Khan credited the film’s writers. “Unlike a lot of movies where the only plot point of a dance is that, ‘Oh, they’re going to the competition. Are they going to win this competition?’ The dances were all part of the storytelling journey.” Khan explained that every routine served a specific narrative purpose, such as a betrayal, a missed cue, or a moment of deep personal vulnerability. Instead of focusing solely on making the choreography look cool, the priority was always bringing out the underlying story point. Whether that meant showing a character feeling shafted, embarrassed, or exposed.
A major inspiration for anchoring the choreography to the plot came from the authentic nature of intercollegiate dance culture itself. As Khan noted, most traditional dances are just performances, but collegiate dance teams utilize distinct themes and stories. By leaning into this reality, the filmmakers could use thematic elements to drive the narrative forward. For instance, when the characters needed to feel completely awed by their rivals, the team incorporated an “Everest” theme. This thoughtful alignment ensured that every stylistic and movement choice directly supported what the story needed to tel
Best of the Best is streaming exclusively on Netflix, inviting audiences to experience a dazzling celebration of friendship, culture, and rhythm.
