India's Best Dancer 5 winner: Ritesh Pal and Pratik Utekar lift the trophy
Synopsis
Ritesh Pal and his choreographer Pratik Utekar have taken home the India's Best Dancer Season 5 trophy, with Ritesh having won the Battle Trophy thrice during the season — making him one of the standout performers in the show's recent history. The Grand Finale brought together judges Karisma Kapoor, Jaaved Jaaferi, Geeta Kapur and Terence Lewis alongside celebrity guests Tamannaah Bhatia and Sidharth Malhotra.
Key Takeaways
Ritesh Pal and choreographer Pratik Utekar were crowned winners of India's Best Dancer Season 5 on 27 September 2026 .
Ritesh won the Battle Trophy thrice during the season, a record for consistency this season.
The finale's other finalist pairs included Dipali Borkar , Prathamesh Mane , Anshika Dhara , and Geetanjali Marwaha .
Season judges Karisma Kapoor , Jaaved Jaaferi , Geeta Kapur , and Terence Lewis were present at the Grand Finale.
Special guests Jackie Shroff , Tamannaah Bhatia , and Sidharth Malhotra joined the finale celebrations.
Ritesh Pal, paired with choreographer Pratik Utekar, has been crowned the winner of India's Best Dancer Season 5, the popular dance reality show aired on Sony Entertainment Television. The duo clinched the title at the Grand Finale held in Mumbai on 27 September 2026, beating four other finalist pairs in a star-studded culmination to the season.
Ritesh Pal's Journey This Season
Throughout the season, Ritesh distinguished himself by winning the coveted Battle Trophy thrice — a feat that underlined his consistency and competitive edge. The dancer, rooted in contemporary dance, ventured beyond his comfort zone to explore multiple dance forms under the 'India Wala Dance' format, earning judges' appreciation for his versatility and powerful stage presence.
Reacting to the win, Ritesh 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. 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 on the Victory
For Pratik Utekar, the win was an equally emotional milestone. '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. 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,' he said.
The Grand Finale: Finalists and Star Guests
The finale saw Ritesh Pal and Pratik Utekar compete against fellow finalist pairs — Dipali Borkar, Prathamesh Mane, Anshika Dhara, and Geetanjali Marwaha. The evening was elevated by the presence of the season's judges — Karisma Kapoor, Jaaved Jaaferi, Geeta Kapur, and Terence Lewis — alongside special guests Jackie Shroff, Tamannaah Bhatia, and Sidharth Malhotra.
What This Win Means
The India's Best Dancer franchise has consistently spotlighted grassroots dance talent from across India, and Season 5's 'India Wala Dance' theme specifically pushed contestants to master regional and folk forms alongside their specialisations. Ritesh's triple Battle Trophy record this season makes him one of the most decorated contestants in the show's recent history. With the trophy in hand, both Ritesh and Pratik are expected to attract fresh opportunities in the entertainment and live performance circuit.
Point of View
And Ritesh's triple Battle Trophy record suggests the format surfaced genuine talent rather than rewarding a pre-existing star. What remains to be seen is whether Sony translates this season's momentum into a larger platform push for Ritesh and Pratik beyond the reality-show circuit, where promising dance talent has historically been under-leveraged in mainstream entertainment.
NationPress
28 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won India's Best Dancer Season 5?
Ritesh Pal, paired with choreographer Pratik Utekar, won India's Best Dancer Season 5. The duo was announced as champions at the Grand Finale held on 27 September 2026 on Sony Entertainment Television.
Who were the other finalists in India's Best Dancer Season 5 Grand Finale?
The other finalist pairs in the Grand Finale were Dipali Borkar, Prathamesh Mane, Anshika Dhara, and Geetanjali Marwaha, competing alongside the eventual winners Ritesh Pal and Pratik Utekar.
Who were the judges of India's Best Dancer Season 5?
The judging panel for Season 5 comprised Karisma Kapoor, Jaaved Jaaferi, Geeta Kapur, and Terence Lewis. Special guests Jackie Shroff, Tamannaah Bhatia, and Sidharth Malhotra also appeared at the Grand Finale.
What made Ritesh Pal stand out in India's Best Dancer Season 5?
Ritesh Pal won the coveted Battle Trophy thrice during the season, the most by any contestant this season. He also impressed judges with his ability to step beyond his contemporary dance background and explore diverse dance forms under the 'India Wala Dance' theme.
What is the 'India Wala Dance' theme in India's Best Dancer Season 5?
'India Wala Dance' is the central theme of Season 5, which required contestants to explore and perform regional, folk, and other Indian dance forms outside their primary specialisation. It was designed to test the adaptability and range of each dancer.
