CAST: Utkarsh Ambudkar, Punam Patel, Manny Magnus, Eric Choy, Piper Wallace,

DIRECTOR: Roshan Sethi

Prem Patel, also known as Manny Magnus, is a brilliant 12-year-old prodigy in mathematics hailing from Jersey City. His exceptional math skills are so advanced that he envisions himself winning the prestigious Mathlympics. Remarkably, he is one of only two middle-schoolers taking high school-level math courses. The other student is Claire, a talented knitter who reveals that her family does not partake in the customary summer festivities.

Prem resides with his mother, Priya, who is both a nurse and a math whiz herself. Since Prem’s father, Suresh, passed away when he was just five years old, Priya has shouldered the responsibilities of being a single mother. While Priya advocates for moving forward, she occasionally listens to podcasts about coping with grief, implying that she may struggle to fully practice what she preaches.

Within middle school, Prem endures bullying from two eighth-grade students named Brooklyn and Sharn. Fortunately, he can always rely on his friend Jerome, who spent the summer engrossed in creating dance videos on TikTok. However, Jerome decides that he wants a break from their companionship, fearing that being associated with Prem will lead to him being labeled as a “math geek.” Jerome yearns for an opportunity to explore different interests.

When Prem receives an assignment to create an “equation” representing himself, he turns to Priya for information about his father, particularly a photograph capturing a moment they shared at a place called the Leopard Lounge. Priya recounts their first encounter, highlighting Suresh’s prowess in freestyling and his aspiration to become the “greatest emcee in the world.”

Inspired by his father’s legacy, Prem decides to adopt the same pursuit and registers for the middle school talent show under his father’s moniker. He discovers a book of rhymes that his father had kept and dedicates himself to studying them, alongside immersing himself in the world of hip-hop by listening to an extensive collection of tracks. Ultimately, Suresh manifests as a figment of Prem’s vivid imagination, serving as his ultimate source of inspiration.

Prem also befriends two classmates in his math class, Gabe and Mercedes, who wholeheartedly support his dreams of becoming an emcee. However, Priya, always focused on moving forward, wishes that Prem would prioritize his academic studies and refrain from following in his father’s footsteps.

World’s Best, directed by Roshan Sethi, stands out for its refreshing departure from the predictable coming-of-age narrative. Rather than taking dramatic twists and turns, the film unfolds in a manner reminiscent of real life.

Prem’s interest in hip-hop emerges as a means to reconnect with his distant memories of his father and to break free from the label of being the “math guy” that has defined his school life. However, it’s not as though he magically becomes a skilled rapper overnight. In fact, for the majority of the film, the only place where Prem showcases his rhyming abilities is in the fantasy sequence music videos with Ambudkar. Just when it seems like he is about to break into the real world of the film and start rapping, he doesn’t.

This approach is refreshing because it acknowledges that developing a new interest, even if it seems to be in one’s DNA due to parental influence, does not guarantee immediate and natural proficiency. As Suresh’s recurring image advises Prem, he must put in the effort, just as he does with mathematics, in order to fully harness his inherent talent.

Ambudkar, who co-wrote the film, presents another amazing performance. Manny Magnus is phenomenal and also showcases his exceptional skills as a rapper, adding another layer of talent to his portrayal of Prem. This is particularly evident in the musical sequences where he engages in captivating duets with Ambudkar, demonstrating his prowess as both an actor and a rapper.

The film lightly touches upon the cultural expectations placed upon the children of Indian parents. Priya encouraged Prem to excel in math because of his innate abilities and because it aligned with her own strengths. It isn’t until near the end of the film that we learn the reasons behind Suresh’s life choices, which led him to prioritize building a family rather than becoming the world’s greatest emcee. Importantly, this was perfectly fine with him.