Bollywood And Bonding At U.C.L.A.

By the Editorial Team · Saturday, October 3, 2026

Nashaa, UCLA’s Bollywood-fusion dance team, blends traditional South Asian styles with contemporary dance and recently placed third at a major national competition despite key members facing injuries. This rising collegiate dance movement fosters cultural connection and community for South Asian students while inspiring broader media representation, including the Netflix film “Best of the Best.”

At the University of California, Los Angeles, the Bollywood-fusion dance group Nashaa has become an important cultural and social hub for South Asian students, reflecting a nationwide growth in collegiate dance teams that blend traditional and contemporary styles. The rise of this scene has even inspired the Netflix film “Best of the Best,” a coming-of-age comedy set in a fictional version of UCLA’s dance environment.

Founded in the early 2000s, Nashaa includes about 20 members who compete in a circuit of intercollegiate events across the United States. Each year, the team prepares a roughly 10-minute performance set centered around a theme, often mixing Bollywood music with hip-hop, contemporary lyrical dance, and regional South Asian styles such as kuthu and bhangra. Last year, their routine combined elements from the “Mummy” film series with a DJ-curated soundtrack featuring diverse artists including Kendrick Lamar.

The team’s process begins at the start of the academic year with auditions, which can take place informally—in some cases, even in parking lots—as members vie for a spot. By late October, Nashaa produces an audition video to submit to as many as 20 competitions, with the circuit’s rules limiting participation in up to three events per season. Competitions run from late January through the spring, accompanied by late-night rehearsals, extensive travel, and social bonding among teammates.

For many dancers, the team provides a vital connection to their heritage and community. “For a lot of South Asians, dance is the way we connect,” said Rahil Luthra, a recent graduate and former choreography captain. “It’s a part of our culture. It’s in our movies. Our identity is in dance.” Luthra, like many members, began dancing at a young age and looked forward to college as a chance to join a team like Nashaa and forge deep friendships.

The 2023-2024 season presented challenges and highlights for the group. Co-captain Samarth Hegde suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) early in the year and was unable to compete but remained committed by attending every rehearsal. Similarly, Luthra, the previous choreography captain, had also recently recovered from a similar injury. “I never felt alone,” said choreography captain Shraddha Guha, reflecting on the team’s resilience and support.

Nashaa’s efforts culminated in a strong performance at a Desi Dance Network Legends partner event held in South Carolina in January, where the team placed third behind the University of California, Berkeley’s Zahanat and the University of Georgia’s Saazish. Guha described this achievement as a source of immense pride and a validation of the team’s hard work and dedication.

The expanding network of South Asian collegiate dance teams highlights a growing cultural phenomenon in the United States that blends tradition with innovation, communal identity with artistic expression, and competition with camaraderie. For many students, groups like Nashaa offer not only a space to perform but also a way to navigate and celebrate cultural heritage within a large and diverse university environment.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.