Summary (tl;dr)

The search keywords are trending due to the recent global premiere of the new Netflix comedy-drama film "Best of the Best," starring Maitreyi Ramakrishnan, who gained prominence in the popular Netflix series "Never Have I Ever." The film, centered on collegiate Bollywood-fusion dance, is drawing significant interest, especially from fans of Ramakrishnan's previous work.

Essential Background

Maitreyi Ramakrishnan rose to fame for her leading role as Devi Vishwakumar in the critically acclaimed Netflix teen comedy series "Never Have I Ever," which premiered in April 2020 and concluded with its fourth and final season in June 2023. The series, co-created by Mindy Kaling and Lang Fisher, explored the complicated life of a first-generation Indian American teenage girl navigating high school, grief, and cultural identity.

The Full Story

"Best of the Best," a new coming-of-age Bollywood-fusion dance film starring Maitreyi Ramakrishnan, premiered globally on Netflix on September 18, 2026. The movie follows two childhood best friends, Maya (played by Ramakrishnan) and Anjali, as they join a competitive collegiate dance team at UCLA and face the cutthroat world of dance championships. Co-written and produced by Hasan Minhaj and Prashanth Venkataramanujam, the film is seen by some fans as a spiritual successor or a suitable replacement for a continuation of "Never Have I Ever," allowing them to see Ramakrishnan in a college setting. Her former "Never Have I Ever" co-creator, Mindy Kaling, publicly praised Ramakrishnan's performance in the new film.

Why It Matters

The trend reflects the continued influence of Maitreyi Ramakrishnan as a prominent young actress and the strong fan base she developed through "Never Have I Ever." The release of "Best of the Best" capitalizes on this existing popularity, offering viewers a new narrative with a familiar and beloved star, particularly appealing to those who enjoyed the coming-of-age themes and cultural representation in her previous series. The film also highlights the vibrant world of collegiate Bollywood-fusion dance, bringing this specific cultural and artistic expression to a broader global audience on Netflix.

Geographic Location

• Los Gatos, Santa Clara County, California, United States (Netflix headquarters, overseeing strategic decisions and global content releases)
• Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California, United States (Netflix's primary content and production hub in the US; also the setting for the film's collegiate dance team at UCLA; where "Never Have I Ever" was produced)