Raipur’s Ritesh Pal, along with choreographer Pratik Utekar, has emerged as the winner of Sony Entertainment Television’s ‘India’s Best Dancer Season 5’ after a season of powerful performances, challenging dance forms and memorable moments under the theme ‘India Wala Dance’.

Ritesh’s journey stood out from the beginning for his passion, versatility and determination. He consistently pushed his boundaries throughout the competition and won the coveted Battle trophy three times this season, earning appreciation for his powerful and well-curated performances.

In a press release, Sony Entertainment Television said Ritesh’s journey also saw him step outside his comfort zone, explore different dance forms and showcase his versatility as a performer. Alongside Pratik Utekar, he eventually emerged victorious after a thrilling Grand Finale.

The Grand Finale saw Ritesh and Pratik compete against fellow finalists Dipali Borkar, Prathamesh Mane, Anshika Dhara and Geetanjali Marwaha. The duo continued to impress both the judges and audiences with their performances across different dance forms during the season, eventually taking home the ‘India’s Best Dancer Season 5’ trophy.

The finale also turned into a star-studded celebration with judges Karisma Kapoor, Jaaved Jaaferi, Geeta Kapur and Terence Lewis marking the culmination of the season. Actors Jackie Shroff, Tamannaah Bhatia and Sidharth Malhotra also joined the celebrations as special guests.

Speaking about his victory, 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 with Sony Entertainment Television. India Wala Dance pushed me beyond my comfort zone and helped me grow as a performer.”

He added, “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.”

Choreographer Pratik Utekar also spoke about the win, calling it a proud and emotional moment. “Winning India’s Best Dancer Season 5 with my shishya 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,” he said.

Utekar further said that both he and Ritesh come from a contemporary dance background, making the ‘India Wala Dance’ theme an opportunity for them to step out of their comfort zone and explore new dance forms.

“We overcame every challenge together, and lifting this trophy with him makes this victory truly special,” he added.

With Ritesh Pal taking home the coveted trophy, ‘India’s Best Dancer Season 5’ concludes another chapter of Sony Entertainment Television’s dance reality show, celebrating diverse dance forms, powerful performances and the journeys of dancers from across the country.