Maitreyi Ramakrishnan Trained for New Bollywood Film
The actress underwent four months of intensive dance training to perform as a collegiate dancer in the comedy Best of the Best.
Updated on Sept. 26, 2026 in Dancing
Netflix has released the new comedy film Best of the Best, starring Maitreyi Ramakrishnan as a competitive collegiate Bollywood dancer. The role required the 24-year-old actress to complete an extensive, high-level preparation program.
Why it matters
To ensure authentic dance performances on screen, the production required the lead actors to undergo rigorous professional training. This preparation reflects the film's focus on technical skill and high-energy choreography.
The training schedule spanned four months and involved nine-hour days, six days a week. It included six daily classes covering modern, classical, and folk dance alongside strength and agility sessions.
The players
Maitreyi Ramakrishnan
She is a 24-year-old actress who stars as a collegiate Bollywood dancer in the new film.
Joya Kazi
She served as the choreographer responsible for overseeing the cast's intensive four-month training schedule.
Ankur Rathee
He is one of the lead actors appearing alongside Maitreyi Ramakrishnan in the Netflix comedy.
Hasan Minhaj
He is a prominent actor and comedian who features in the cast of the new film.
The details
Choreographer Joya Kazi led the intensive curriculum, which forced the cast to master multiple complex dance styles. Beyond Maitreyi Ramakrishnan, the film features performances by Ankur Rathee, Chaneil Kular, Hasan Minhaj, and Saara Chaudry.
Timeline
The film Best of the Best was released on Netflix on September 26, 2026.
Culture Shift
This production underscores a growing expectation in modern cinema for actors to mirror professional dancers, moving away from simple stunt doubles toward authentic skill-based performance. It reflects a shift in dance-film production where technical proficiency is now marketed as a core selling point.
The rigorous training documented by the film provides viewers with insight into the practical demands of professional dance careers. The production highlights the dedication required for such roles, potentially increasing audience interest in similar high-energy, style-focused dance programs.
The takeaway
Achieving professional-level dance proficiency requires a disciplined commitment to daily physical conditioning and technical practice. Readers interested in dance can implement this lesson by diversifying their own training across multiple styles and cross-training for agility.
Further reading
For more on the intersection of professional choreography and performance, explore the Dancing section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Times of India.
