Maitreyi Ramakrishnan's Grueling Bollywood Dance Bootcamp

Actress Maitreyi Ramakrishnan underwent an extensive four-month training regimen for her role in the Netflix comedy "Best of the Best." Ramakrishnan detailed the experience as a "bootcamp," likening it to "NBA pro-athlete training" due to its intensity. Her schedule included six dance classes daily, six days a week, a significant physical challenge for someone not accustomed to such athleticism.

Director Lena Khan and choreographer Joya Kazi highlighted the dedication of the entire cast. Khan noted that Ramakrishnan and co-star Priyanka Kedia were particularly impressive, having worked the longest to transition from non-dancers to performers capable of keeping pace with seasoned professionals. Kazi described the training as encompassing modern, classical, and folk dance styles, alongside strength and agility work, with daily classes often lasting around nine hours.

"Best of the Best" centers on two childhood best friends, played by Ramakrishnan and Kedia, who join their college's Bollywood-fusion dance team. They soon find themselves embroiled in a fierce competition. The film also features Ankur Rathee, Chaneil Kular, Hasan Minhaj, and Saara Chaudry. The movie is currently streaming on Netflix.