Film Costumes Inspired by Bollywood Dance Mobility
Designers modified traditional garments for dancers, offering tips for your own active wardrobe.
Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Dancing
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The new film Best of the Best highlights the practical adjustments needed for high-energy Bollywood dance. The story focuses on characters Maya and Anjali as they compete for a spot on a collegiate dance team at UCLA.
Why it matters
Authentic dance costumes often contain heavy embellishments that can restrict range of motion or cause discomfort during exercise. Adapting traditional garments allows dancers to maintain aesthetic style while ensuring the physical freedom required for complex choreography.
Production notes describe the modification of traditional bridal lehengas to improve mobility for dance sequences. Designers removed heavy beading and replaced it with lighter sequins to facilitate movement, a technique influenced by UCLA Nashaa dancers.
The players
Liz Vastola
Costume designer who previously worked on Daredevil and Twisted Metal.
UCLA Nashaa
The collegiate Bollywood dance team that inspired the film's dance sequences.
Hasan Minhaj
Writer of the film Best of the Best.
Prashanth Venkataramanujam
Writer of the film Best of the Best.
The details
Costume designer Liz Vastola adapted garments by removing layers and heavy beading to prevent drag and overheating during intense movement. By studying South Asian fashion brands like Abacaxi and NorBlack NorWhite, the team balanced cultural aesthetics with functional requirements. Modifications ensured that dancers could execute complex choreography without the physical limitations of traditional, non-performance-ready attire.
Timeline
2024: UCLA Nashaa focused on lightweight costumes for comfort.
2025: UCLA Nashaa utilized pants-and-shirts-style costumes.
October 13, 2026: Article published regarding the film.
Health Landscape
This approach to costume design follows the broader industry trend of modifying traditional ethnic attire to meet the rigorous physical demands of modern dance teams. It highlights a shift in performance wear, where aesthetic cultural markers are adapted to support athletic functionality.
When choosing clothing for your own exercise routine, prioritize garments that offer a full range of motion without restrictive layers. If you prefer culturally significant attire, consult with a tailor about removing heavy embellishments or selecting breathable, lightweight fabrics to maintain both style and comfort.
The takeaway
Functional design requires balancing your aesthetic preferences with the physical demands of your movement. Prioritize choosing lightweight, non-restrictive fabrics for any high-intensity activity to support better joint mobility and comfort.
Further reading
Learn more about movement-friendly attire in our Dancing section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Daily Bruin.
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