Mumbai: In an inspiring tale of grit and perseverance, 19-year-old Ritesh Pal from Raipur has been crowned the winner of the popular dance reality television show, ‘India’s Best Dancer Season 5’. Surpassing extraordinary talent from across the country, Ritesh lifted the coveted trophy alongside his choreographer, Pratik Utekar. Along with the prestigious title, the young dancer took home a cash prize of ₹15 lakh and a brand-new car.
Ritesh’s journey from the narrow streets of Raipur to national television is nothing short of deeply moving. Coming from a humble background, his path to becoming a dancer was fraught with financial struggles. With initial resistance from his family and a lack of funds for professional training, Ritesh worked at a local salon cutting hair to save enough money to keep his dancing dreams alive.
He would spend his days working with scissors and his nights practicing dance moves. During his most challenging times, his grandmother became his strongest pillar of support, using her modest savings to encourage him when the rest of the family opposed his ambitions. His raw talent, combined with extraordinary flexibility and dangerous stunts, repeatedly earned him standing ovations from the judges.
A significant credit for Ritesh’s victory goes to his mentor, the 36-year-old industry veteran Pratik Utekar. The Shiamak Davar-trained choreographer, who has previously secured wins in shows like ‘Nach Baliye’ and ‘Dance Deewane Juniors’, masterfully sculpted Ritesh’s raw skills. From concept-based acts to executing risky moves with props, Pratik’s strong storytelling and Ritesh’s execution won the hearts of audiences across the nation.
Upon the announcement of his name, a teary-eyed Ritesh stood on the finale stage, proving that no dream is too big. His victory stands as a testament that with steely determination, even a boy dreaming in the small mirror of a salon can rise to touch the sky. The grand finale was a star-studded affair graced by Bollywood actors Jackie Shroff, Sidharth Malhotra, and Tamannaah Bhatia, while the show was judged by Geeta Kapur, Terence Lewis, Karisma Kapoor, and Jaaved Jaaferi.