Mumbai: Raipur’s Ritesh Pal, along with choreographer Pratik Utekar, has emerged as the winner of India’s Best Dancer Season 5 following a spectacular Grand Finale on Sony Entertainment Television.
After months of performances under the season’s theme ‘India Wala Dance’, Ritesh impressed judges and audiences with his passion, versatility and determination. He also won the coveted Battle trophy three times during the season.
Ritesh and Pratik triumph in the finale
Ritesh’s journey culminated in the Grand Finale, where he and Pratik competed against fellow finalists Dipali Borkar, Prathamesh Mane, Anshika Dhara and Geetanjali Marwaha.
The duo showcased their versatility across different dance forms throughout the competition. Their consistency and dedication eventually earned them the season’s coveted trophy.
The season also challenged Ritesh to move beyond his comfort zone and experiment with different styles of dance. His performances were appreciated for their energy, precision and versatility.
Star-studded Grand Finale
The Grand Finale featured judges Karisma Kapoor, Jaaved Jaaferi, Geeta Kapur and Terence Lewis, who mentored the contestants throughout the season.
Actors Jackie Shroff, Tamannaah Bhatia and Sidharth Malhotra also joined the celebrations as special guests, adding to the star power of the finale.
The concluding episode brought together the finalists, judges and special guests for a celebration of the season’s performances and the contestants’ journeys.
Ritesh calls victory a dream come true
Speaking after his victory, Ritesh Pal said dance had always been his passion and described winning the show as a dream come true.
He expressed gratitude to Sony Entertainment Television and the judges for their guidance, while also thanking his fellow contestants for the lessons he learnt during the competition.
Ritesh also credited his choreographer Pratik Utekar for believing in him and helping shape his journey on the show. He said the ‘India Wala Dance’ theme pushed him beyond his comfort zone and helped him grow as a performer.
Pratik Utekar celebrates his student’s achievement
For choreographer Pratik Utekar, the victory was both a proud and emotional moment. He praised Ritesh for trusting his vision and accepting his guidance throughout the competition.
Pratik said both he and Ritesh came from a contemporary dance background, making the season an opportunity for them to explore dance forms outside their comfort zone.
The choreographer said overcoming those challenges together and lifting the trophy with Ritesh made the victory particularly special.
With Ritesh Pal’s victory, India’s Best Dancer Season 5 has concluded its latest season after bringing together contestants from different backgrounds and showcasing a range of dance forms on one stage.