Canadian actress Maitreyi Ramakrishnan made a striking appearance on the red carpet in New York City for the world premiere of her upcoming Netflix original film, Best of the Best. The event brought together cast members, filmmakers, and industry guests to celebrate the high-energy coming-of-age comedy ahead of its global streaming release.
Directed by Lena Khan and co-written by comedian Hasan Minhaj alongside Prashanth Venkataramanujam, Best of the Best follows two childhood best friends who enroll at the University of California, Los Angeles. Upon arrival, the pair join the university's competitive Bollywood-fusion dance team with ambitions of competing for a national title, sparking a story centered on friendship, identity, and performance culture.
Ramakrishnan leads the film's ensemble cast as Maya, starring alongside Priyanka Kedia, Hasan Minhaj, Ankur Rathee, Chaneil Kular, and Janina Gavankar. The premiere showcased the project's blend of collegiate humor and intricate choreography, highlighting the collaborative effort behind bringing Bollywood-fusion dance to a broad international streaming audience.
Ramakrishnan first rose to global prominence in 2020 after being selected by Mindy Kaling from thousands of candidates to play Devi Vishwakumar in the critically acclaimed Netflix teen comedy series Never Have I Ever. Over the course of four seasons, her portrayal earned widespread praise from critics and viewers, establishing her as one of television's leading breakout talents.
Following the conclusion of Never Have I Ever, Ramakrishnan expanded her repertoire across television and feature films. Her work includes voicing characters in major animated productions such as Pixar's Turning Red, as well as starring roles in youth-oriented feature films, solidifying her career beyond her debut television success.
Best of the Best is scheduled to premiere globally on Netflix on September 18, 2026. The release marks another key milestone for Ramakrishnan as she continues to anchor major streaming projects and showcase her versatility across comedic and performance-driven roles.
