Ritesh Pal wins India's Best Dancer Season 5, takes home Rs 15 lakh

Raipur’s Ritesh Pal has won India’s Best Dancer Season 5. The 19-year-old dancer lifted the trophy with choreographer Pratik Utekar after beating fellow finalists Anshika Dhara, Geetanjali Marwaha, Prathamesh Mane and Dipali Borkar in the Grand Finale. He took home a prize money of Rs 15 lakh.

Ritesh emerged as one of the strongest contenders through the season, winning the Battle Trophy three times and showcasing his versatility across different dance forms. His journey on the reality show unfolded under the theme ‘India Wala Dance’, which also pushed him and Pratik to experiment beyond their contemporary dance background. Ritesh Pal (left) with choreographer Pratik Utekar. 

Speaking after his win, Ritesh Pal said, “Dance has always been my passion, and winning India’s Best Dancer Season 5 is a dream come true. I feel truly fortunate to be a part of this journey. India Wala Dance pushed me beyond my comfort zone and helped me grow as a performer. I am grateful to Karisma Ma’am, Jaaved Sir, Geeta Maa and Terence Sir for their guidance, with Geeta Maa holding a special place in my heart. A special thank you to my choreographer Pratik Utekar Sir for believing in me and transforming my journey. I have learnt so much from my fellow contestants. This trophy makes every challenge worthwhile.”

Pratik Utekar said, “Winning India’s Best Dancer Season 5 with my shishya (student) Ritesh Pal is an incredibly proud and emotional moment. I am so happy to see his growth, and Ritesh has always trusted my vision and wholeheartedly accepted my guidance. Since we both come from a contemporary dance background, India Wala Dance challenged us to step out of our comfort zone and explore new dance forms. We overcame every challenge together, and lifting this trophy with him makes this victory truly special.” Terence Lewis (left), followed by Geeta Kapur, Ritesh Pal, Pratik Utekar, Karisma Kapoor and Javed Jaffery. 

The Grand Finale featured judges Karisma Kapoor, Jaaved Jaaferi, Geeta Kapur and Terence Lewis. Jackie Shroff, Tamannaah Bhatia and Sidharth Malhotra also joined the celebrations as special guests.

Ritesh’s victory comes after an earlier reality-show win. He had previously won Dance Plus Pro as part of Shakti Mohan’s team.- EndsALSO READ | Jaaved Jaaferi recalls how Boogie Woogie was almost rejected as 'down market'

Growing up immersed in the enchanting realm of movies and television, Sana's fascination with all things on-screen quickly blossomed into an irrevocable love affair. While words continue to be her greatest strength, Sana has discovered a penchant for stepping into the spotlight, engaging in profound dialogues with celebrities on camera.