Ankur Rathee Reflects on College Dance Days
Ankur Rathee is making waves with his latest role in Netflix’s “Best of the Best,” a South Asian dance drama that features a talented cast including Maitreyi Ramakrishnan, Priyanka Kedia, and Chaneil Kular. The film delves into themes of identity, ambition, and friendship, set against the backdrop of competitive South Asian dance teams in the United States. For Rathee, this project marks a significant milestone in his international career.
Embracing the Role of Ronak
In “Best of the Best,” Rathee plays Ronak, the charismatic and competitive captain of UCLA’s South Asian dance team. Rather than focusing on his Hollywood debut, he has shared insights into his experience portraying this dynamic character. The role allowed Rathee to reconnect with his own college days, as he was once part of South Asian and contemporary dance teams during his time at Princeton.
“What made Ronak particularly exciting was the opportunity to revisit a part of myself I hadn’t accessed in years. I was a college dancer, I’ve lived the intensity of these teams, and I remember what it felt like to be 22 and believe that charisma could carry you through anything,” Rathee expressed. He also noted that playing a character significantly younger than himself posed a unique challenge. “The challenge was to strip away the restrained performance instincts I’ve developed as an actor over the years and find that youthful arrogance, vulnerability and impulsiveness again. In many ways, Ronak took me back to a version of myself I thought I had left behind,” he added.
Cultural Connections and Language
Rathee’s experience in Indian cinema has enriched his portrayal in a production deeply rooted in South Asian culture. The film features Bollywood-inspired dance sequences, Hindi dialogue, and cultural nuances that resonated with him. He even dubbed his character in Hindi and Urdu for Netflix’s international release, further bridging his background with the film’s themes.
Reflecting on this unique opportunity, Rathee stated, “I’ve spent the last decade building my career in India, working across film and streaming, so this opportunity feels like a meaningful evolution rather than a departure from where I come from.” He emphasized the significance of making his Hollywood debut with a film that connects so closely to the South Asian experience. “To make my Hollywood debut with a film that is so deeply connected to the South Asian experience makes it even more special. I get to take everything I’ve learned as an actor in India and bring that perspective into a global production,” he remarked.
The Audition Journey
Rathee also recounted the journey that led him to land the role of Ronak, which involved multiple rounds of auditions and chemistry reads with Maitreyi Ramakrishnan. He described the final chemistry read as a pivotal moment that allowed both actors to improvise beyond the script, establishing a strong dynamic between their characters.
“Working with Maitreyi was one of the most exciting parts of this experience. There was an immediate creative chemistry between us, and she brings such honesty, humor, and unbridled instinct to Maya. Our characters are constantly challenging each other, and that dynamic made the scenes incredibly alive,” Rathee shared.
With “Best of the Best,” Rathee draws from his extensive experience in Indian films and his background as a college dancer. He has previously appeared in notable projects such as “The Tashkent Files,” “Thappad,” “Taish,” “Sarabha: Cry for Freedom,” “Shehzada,” “Four More Shots Please!,” “Made in Heaven,” “Undekhi,” and “Inside Edge.”
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