Maitreyi Ramakrishnan wants to make this clear: she auditioned for the film Best of the Best, an upcoming comedy set in the world of Bollywood dance competitions at a university. "Please add that Maitreyi Ramakrishnan was not just offered this role," she points to my notes with her finger. "Maitreyi Ramakrishnan worked!"
Competition in the World of Bollywood
Ramakrishnan responds charmingly to the suggestion that her character, Maya, seems to have been written for her. Maya actually took shape at the same time Ramakrishnan was introduced as a charming teenager named Devi in the series Never Have I Ever in 2020. The film is somewhat of a response to the Step Up film series and will be released on Netflix on September 18.
For some fans eager to see Devi in college, Best of the Best may serve as a fitting substitute for the continuation of the series, which ended in 2023 after four seasons. The film reunites Ramakrishnan with one of the directors of Never Have I Ever, Lena Khan, and co-choreographer, Joya Kazi, who performed a Bollywood dance in the first season of the series.
Character Development of Maya
Ramakrishnan portrays Maya as a freshman at UCLA who is in competition with her childhood best friend, Anjali. In this regard, she clearly shows that Maya will be indifferent to anyone who wants to challenge her Bollywood dance superiority. "Maya is really smart," Ramakrishnan says.
In a later conversation with Hasan Minhaj, who has collaborated with Ramakrishnan as a writer and producer, he states, "We will be really lucky to have Maitreyi. She has two qualities that Maya needs. Everyone knows that Maitreyi is naturally amazing at comedy. She has that special quality that cannot be taught."
Despite Minhaj's confidence in her, Ramakrishnan auditioned to ensure she was ready to transition from the fast-paced comedy of the series to the emotional challenges of the film. Even Kazi, who went to college with Minhaj, had to do similar auditions.
Minhaj refers to his experiences in the Punjabi community in Northern California, mentioning the history of 19th-century migrant farmers. He passionately discusses South Asian identity and clearly articulates how this identity has been shaped by laws like the Chinese Exclusion Act.
Beginning of Collaborations
Ramakrishnan says she has been a huge fan of Patriot Act and recalls her first meeting with Minhaj at one of his live performances. The two illustrate how their experiences in the world of comedy and cinema are interconnected and how they can draw from their culture in their artistic works.
Ultimately, Best of the Best will not only be a successful comedy but also a representation of the culture and identity of South Asian youth in the modern world.
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