REVIEW: 'Best of the Best' universality breaks through cultural barriers

'Best of the Best' stars best friends played. by Priyanka Kedia, left, and Maitreyi Ramakrishnan.

Step out onto the ledge with me, because we’re looking at a film that is absolutely bursting with color, rhythm, and pure collegiate energy! Netflix’s Best of the Best takes us right to the chaotic, high-stakes edge of the competitive South Asian collegiate dance circuit, and it is a total trip.

If you’re looking for a fresh lens on the modern diaspora experience, this movie delivers a front-row seat. Think Booksmart but turbocharged with a major dose of Bollywood fusion. 

Scrolling through Netflix's offerings, Best of the Best sneaked up on us with very little fanfare or advance PR reviews.

Directed by the brilliant Lena Khan (The Tiger Hunter and Disney+'s Flora & Ulysses).  and co-written by the powerhouse duo of Hasan Minhaj and Prashanth Venkataramanujam, the film follows childhood besties Maya and Anjali as they dive headfirst into the cutthroat world of UCLA dance, specifically Bollywood-dance competitions. 

'Best of the Best' stars, from left: Maitreyi Ramakrishnan (“Never Have I Ever”), Hasan Minhaj (“Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj”) and Priyanka Kedia (“Everything To Me”). 

The movie completely nails the vibrant, hyper-focused youth culture of South Asian Americans—balancing massive ambitions, deep sisterhood, and the classic hustle of identity and family expectations. It’s funny, authentic, and spectacularly alive.

But does Best of the Best land the jump as pure entertainment for a massive, diverse audience? Absolutely, though it depends on what you're craving. We've seen the basic formula in other films (the Pitch Perfect franchise comes to mine.) so the outcome is perfectly predictable, but that is the appeal of the feature. It's familiar, but the additional masala makes it new.

Over on Rotten Tomatoes, critics are totally on board, giving it a sparkling 81% for its dazzling choreography and infectiously joyful chaos. General audiences are sitting a bit lower at 47%, mostly because underneath all those jaw-dropping, rhythmic dance numbers beats the heart of a classic, predictable college formula.

The key is one doesn't have to be South Asian to enjoy this coming-of-age feature that offers a glimpse into a community that largely does unnoticed by mainstream media and the non-Asian communities.

Still, from where I’m standing, that familiar storyline is exactly what makes it so universally accessible! The universal themes of friendship and following your passion mean anyone can grab some popcorn and enjoy the ride. If you love high-energy spectacle, dance, and a lot of heart, this one is well worth the watch.

FYI: The South Asian American dance competitions is real thing. See below:

Collegiate teams are the backbone of the South Asian dance circuit, especially across the Desi Dance Network (DDN) and the National Desi Dance League (NDDL). 

The primary intercollegiate South Asian dance competitions scheduled for the 2026–2027 season feature several prominent events:

2027 Collegiate Desi Dance Competitions

Competition	Date	Location / Venue	Styles / Focus
REVIVAL 2027	January 16, 2027	P.C. Ho Theatre, Scarborough, ON	Canada's largest collegiate & secondary circuit; features Bhangra, Bollywood, and Classical Fusion.
Aa Dekhen Zara (ADZ XVII)	February 6, 2027	Shannon Hall, Madison, WI	Massive South Asian Fusion collegiate bid competition run by UW-Madison students.
South Asian Showdown	February 2027	Northeast US (Boston, MA)	High-profile regional competitive showcase for top-tier collegiate Bollywood and Fusion teams.
Origins Dance Championship	April 2027	TBD Location	Premier national-level championship circuit strictly dedicated to intercollegiate Indian Classical dance teams.

EDITOR'S NOTE: For additional commentary, news, views and chismis from an AANHPI perspective, follow me on Threads, on X, BlueSky or at the blog Views From the Edge. If you find this perspective interesting, please repost.

High-ranking South Asian American in Biden administration recalls his journey to the White House

DALEEP SINGH

Growing up in the United States, many children of immigrant parents have to go to great lengths -- even enduring taunts and beatings -- just to "fit in."

Many peoples journeys have taken different paths to arrive at where we are today. The pandemic and growing anti-Asian sentiment resulting in physical attacks and verbal harassment and abuse has brought AAPI together and spurred a sense of activism rarely associated with the community. 

One of the ways to fight the twin viruses of COVID-19 and racism is to forge a unity that many would consider impossible in any place other than the United States. Immigrants coming from the many countries of Asia, overcoming age-old rivalries and scores of languages.

Some of us have been fighting racism most of their lives; some of us have been forcibly reminded to look in the mirror. But no matter when or how we come to the realize all that links us together, the important thing is that we're here ... now; joining protests and marches, walking with our elders, voting and running for office, standing up, speaking out and making our presence felt and most of all, remembering where we came from.

In the waning days of Asian American, Native Hawaiian & Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Daleep Singh, President Biden's Deputy National Security Advisor and one of several AAPI who advise and support the President, wrote the following oped.

By Daleep Singh

Deputy National Security Advisor

My story is the story of so many other Indian Americans. In search of a better life for their kids – and maybe a bit of adventure for themselves – my parents left India for America in the 1970s. I was born in Maryland, spent a few years in Chicago, and settled in North Carolina when I was about seven years old.

I’ve always described my childhood as a happy one. Surrounded by a loving family, I felt like I was part of something bigger than myself, and that my life meant something to those around me. I also felt enormous pride and gratitude in being an American – having the freedom to find and become my authentic self, and the opportunity to dream big, even if in my case these were mostly athletic delusions.

At a young age, I also knew that we were different. I remember on the first day we arrived in Raleigh, our apartment was filled with unopened boxes. But instead of unpacking, my parents grabbed the phone book, found three Indian-sounding last names, and invited them over for dinner. All of them arrived within hours and, from that point on, we probably shared at least one weekend meal within the Indian community until I went away for college.

As I got older, I began to understand how much these gatherings meant. Like anyone else, my parents wanted a space where their traditions and beliefs were accepted, and that hadn’t always been their experience. When he first moved to the U.S., my dad – a turbaned Sikh – was told by his boss: if he wanted to keep his job, he’d need to fit in better. So that’s what my dad did – he sacrificed part of his identity to provide for his family. 

Meanwhile, my mom worked for the Raleigh city government, and I’ll never forget her coming home in tears after her boss openly bragged that he was a member of the KKK. He made sure to remind her of that throughout her years of dedicated but painful service in Raleigh city government.

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'I made a joke out of my family’s background to deal with my own insecurity about being different'. 

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I also wanted to feel accepted, but for that to happen as a kid it sometimes involved compromises that I now regret. I remember feeling dread in middle school whenever we’d have a substitute teacher, knowing they would butcher my name, and giving the whole class a good laugh at my expense. Sometimes I thought the solution was to just own it, so I’d speak during class with a thick Indian accent. When I think about that now, I’m ashamed. I made a joke out of my family’s background to deal with my own insecurity about being different.

Fast forwarding to the past few years, the rise in hateful attacks against Asian Americans and other communities of color made me realize that I was still carrying a lot of memories – painful ones – that felt heavier over the years. I’d almost forgotten the humiliation of getting beat up on the back of an elementary school bus for being the “dirty brown kid with smelly food,” or what it felt like to get told I couldn’t go on a date with someone in high school because I’m brown.

Much of the reason I’d been able to let these memories go was my deeply held belief that things were getting better when it came to race; that my kids would grow up in a different way. So I’ll admit, the slow progress and setbacks left me angry at times. I suspect many in the Indian American community feel the same way: we’re tired of watching the past repeat itself, and we’re exhausted from being quiet.

But to make change, we first have to recognize that we can all do better, myself included. That means being real about my own privilege as an Indian American from a middle-class household. I’m not at risk of being stopped and frisked. My wife and I don’t have to teach our kids how to survive if they get pulled over by the police. For those of us who’ve faced prejudice, we also need to check own our bias, and see our own privileges, if we’re going to do better.

It also means we need to speak out and do our part if we’re going to be seen as 100%, full-fledged, just-like-you citizens. As an Asian American, I’m deeply humbled and honored to have the privilege of serving in President Biden’s administration at a defining moment in our country’s history, while being a part of the most diverse administration ever assembled. My experience serving our country bears no resemblance to my mom’s days in Raleigh city government, but her experience back then, and recent violence toward Asian Americans, are a constant reminder to me about the responsibility I have of representing and standing up for the AAPI community every day in this job.

My role at the White House is to help create a self-reinforcing dynamic between domestic renewal, American leadership abroad, and national security. Part of domestic renewal has to do with economics: creating sustained and inclusive growth in jobs and wages, boosting the resilience of our critical supply chains, and strengthening our innovative edge. Another part of domestic renewal involves healing the wounds of racial injustice and coming together as a society to deliver on American’s unmatched promise. I don’t have direct policy responsibility in this area, but it’s central to what President Biden is trying to deliver, and a big reason why I’m here.

As a final thought, I want to use this platform to send love and support to my sisters and brothers in the Sikh community who have been a particular target of harassment, racism, and violence in recent years. I stand with them today and always.

Family Karma: Historic reality show premiering Sunday has a chance to break stereotypes of Indian Americans

FAMILY KARMA

The Indian American cast of 'Family Karma' debuting Sunday.

By Louis Chan
ASAM NEWS

An aspiring fashion designer, a reluctant fiance, a playboy, a gay lawyer, a two time divorcee, choreographer, and rich entrepreneur – these are all characters you’ll get to know in Bravo’s new reality program - Family Karma.
Oh, and did we mention? All of them happen to be Indian American, thus making the program (debuting on Bravo Sunday at 9 ET/PT) the first reality show centered around this growing South Asian American ethnicity.

For many viewers, this will be their first look at the Indian American culture. AsAmNews had the opportunity to interview six of the cast members and preview the first two episodes.

“We are a very unique cast and I think this show will break common pre-conceived notions that many people have about Indians and India in general,” said Anisha Ramakrishna, 34, who just moved home to Miami in an effort to save money and support her fledgling fashion design business.

“I’m confident we’re going to make some Indian Americans uncomfortable because we are unapologetic and unfiltered almost immediately,” said Bali Chainani, a two-time divorcee and single mom. “However, I think showing the country that we don’t all fall under the stereotype that follows us will be massively appreciated. They’re going to love us or love to hate us.”

The show revolves around seven friends in Miami and their daily lives. Not only will viewers get to know the seven, they’ll also meet their parents, future in-laws and who knows who else. The program moves quickly and at least in the beginning, you’ll need a scorecard to keep up with everyone.

“What non-Indians I think will be surprised by is how close we are to our parents, aunts, and uncles,” wealthy entrepreneur Shaan Patel said. “In our Miami Indian community, it is not uncommon to hang out, drink, and dance with people of all ages, and our friendships are only deepened by this family bond.”

The first two episodes are lighthearted and fun. The cast is diverse enough so that viewers are likely to find at least one character they become invested in following. For me, that’s playboy Brian Benni and his longtime friend, Monica Vaswani. How many of us know longtime friends who show occasional sparks of potential passion? That’s Brian and Monica.

“You’ll see differences of opinions when it comes to relationships and matters of the heart,” said Benni, not necessarily talking about just him and Monica.

'Family Karma' centers on this group of hip, beautiful, stylish and rich Indian American friends in Miami

“I think what will surprise viewers more about this series is the type of drama we have,” Monica said. “Every comment, every joke, every confrontation has the potential to not only ruin a friendship but ruin a lifelong relationship going back generations.”

Despite the lightheartedness of the first episodes, I suspect viewers will have plenty of opportunities to both empathize and cry with the characters in future episodes.

“I agreed to be a part of this journey so I can serve as an example of a person of South Asian descent who was able to come out as LGBT to his family and never looked back,” said Amrit Kapai. “I wish to be a voice and pillar of support to those who have dealt with, and are currently dealing with, issues of sexual orientation and gender identity.”

“I’m sure many people from all walks of life can relate to some of the issues that I’ve faced in terms of emotional as well as my physical well-being,” said ,, who has been engaged for three years, but is reluctant to set a date. “I hope that people can provide more empathy and understanding for another. ”

For Asian Americans unfamiliar with the Indian culture, many will be surprised about the similarities and differences Indian Americans have with their own culture. For that reason alone, it’s worth watching.

“I think the viewers will see that despite our ethnicity, we will be relatable to people of all backgrounds,” said Ramakrishna.

Phoney political influencer charged as an unregistered foreign agent

IMAD SHAH ZUBERI

A L.A. man who who donated $900,000 to Donald Trump’s inaugural committee has been charged Tuesday (Oct. 22) with falsifying records to hide his work as a foreign agent while he lobbied prominent US government officials, say federal prosecutors.

Federal officials say Imaad Shah Zuberi, 49, who also donated $260,000 to President Obama's 2013 inauguration, has agreed to plead guilty to those criminal charges at a later date, pursuant to a plea agreement.

“Mr. Zuberi was the primary organizer of paid political efforts to mold the opinion of political officials, including members of Congress, to benefit Sri Lanka. Instead, he used shell business entities to divert millions of dollars for his own personal use,” stated Special Agent in Charge Ryan L. Korner of IRS Criminal Investigation’s Los Angeles Field Office. 

“This case should deter individuals who seek to provide false statements to the Department and covertly influence our political process on behalf of foreign governments,” said Assistant Attorney General of National Security John C. Demers. “Through misrepresentations in his FARA filing, Mr. Zuberi attempted to deceive our elected officials and the American public on behalf of Sri Lanka.”

In addition to violating the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), Zuberi is charged in a criminal information with tax evasion and making almost $1 million in illegal campaign contributions that included funneling money from foreign entities and individuals to influence U.S. elections.

Zuberi, a 49-year-old resident of Arcadia, California, has agreed to plead guilty to the three counts. A plea agreement also filed Tuesday in United States District Court notes that Zuberi faces a statutory maximum sentence of 15 years in federal prison once he pleads guilty to the charges.

Zuberi, who operated a venture capital firm called Avenue Ventures, solicited foreign nationals and representatives of foreign governments with claims he could use his influence in Washington, D.C. to change US foreign policy and create business opportunities for his clients and himself. 

According to court documents, clients gave Zuberi money for consulting fees, to make investments, or to fund campaign contributions. As part of his efforts to influence public policy, Zuberi hired lobbyists, retained public relations professionals and made campaign contributions – which gave him access to high-level U.S. officials, some of whom took action in support of his clients. As evidence of his access and influence, Zuberi distributed to his clients photographs of himself discussing policy with elected officials.

While some US officials were willing to take action on issues Zuberi put forward, most of Zuberi’s business efforts were unsuccessful and his clients suffered significant losses. Many of the lobbyists, public relations consultants, and other subcontractors also suffered losses when Zuberi refused to pay them, according to the information. 

Zuberi, on the other hand, became wealthy, primarily as the result of fraudulent representations about his background, influence, and the use of client funds, much of which constituted an “outright conversion of client money for defendant Zuberi’s own personal benefit,” the information states.

The information further states that Zuberi accepted money from two foreign companies with promises that the funds would be used to contribute to political campaigns, but Zuberi took the vast majority of the money – more than $1.1 million – for his own personal use.

In 2014, Zuberi entered into a contract with the government of Sri Lanka to rehabilitate Sri Lanka’s image in the United States, which had suffered as a result of allegations of persecution of the country’s minority Tamil population. Zuberi promised to make substantial expenditures on lobbying efforts, legal expenses and media buys, which prompted Sri Lanka to agree to pay Zuberi a total of $8.5 million over the course of six months in 2014. According to court documents, days after Sri Lanka made an initial payment of $3.5 million, Zuberi transferred $1.6 million into his personal brokerage accounts and used another $1.5 million to purchase real estate.

In relation to the FARA charge in the information, Zuberi agreed to plead guilty to submitting false registration statements in which he concealed his direction of the Sri Lanka lobbying effort, as well as the millions of dollars he received.

Zuberi is expected to make his initial appearance in this case in United States District Court on October 30.

“American influence is not for sale,” said Paul Delacourt, the Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office. “Mr. Zuberi lured individuals who were seeking political influence in violation of U.S. law, and in the process, enriched himself by defrauding those with whom he interacted.”

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Woman's body found down river from missing family's vehicle

FACEBOOK

The Thottabilly family was reported missing April 8.

ASAM NEWS

RESCUERS have recovered the body of a woman seven miles downriver where a family of four likely crashed their vehicle into a river in Northern California, reports the East Bay Times.

The body which authorities at first thought belonged to a child has yet to be positively identified. It was found about seven miles north of where deputies say a Honda Pilot belonging to the Thottapilly family crashed into the rain-swollen Eel River in Mendocino County, according to KTLA.

Items belonging to family and pieces of their vehicle were also found.

“Several items have been positively identified, by family members, as belonging to the Thottapilly family,” the California Highway Patrol and the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office said in a joint news release. “These items were of a personal nature and will not be described further at this time, but it does confirm the fact the vehicle that was seen going into the river was that of the Thottapilly family.”

Sandeep, 42; his wife Soumya, 38; and their two children, 12-year-old Siddhant and 9-year-old Saachi have been missing since driving back to Southern California from a trip to Portland, Oregon.

“They were such a nice family. They were very friendly, very outgoing,” said a neighbor in Santa Clarita. “We always saw them walking up and down the street. They would ride scooters up and down the street and the grandparents would come to town.”

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