Exclusive | India’s Best Dancer 5 winner Ritesh Pal plans to build a house for his mother with prize money

India`s Best Dancer winner Ritesh Pal with judges and choreographer (Picture via Special Arrangement)

After an unexpected journey filled with rejection, perseverance and consistency, Ritesh Pal emerged as the winner of India's Best Dancer Season 5. The dancer, who had previously auditioned for the show but failed to make the cut, finally lifted the trophy after impressing audiences and judges with his performances. In an exclusive chat with mid-day, Ritesh opened up about his journey, his plans for the prize money and the performance that will stay with him forever.

Looking back, Ritesh described his journey in one word, unexpected. "I came in Season 2 and I was not selected. I was rejected. After that, Season 3 came, Season 4 came, then Season 5 came and I was selected," he recalled. What made the journey more challenging was that his speciality was contemporary dance, while the show required him to explore Indian and Bollywood styles.

What will Ritesh Pal do with the prize money?

"The biggest challenge for me was to do Indian dance and Bollywood because I don't know Bollywood at all. I dance very differently; I do contemporary," he said. Ritesh admitted that he never expected to be selected, let alone make it to the finale. "All the performances were challenging for us. By the grace of God, everything went so well that we became finalists."

When his name was announced as the winner, Ritesh said he was unable to process the moment. "I was completely blank. What? My name has really come?" he recalled, adding, "I am very happy and I still can't believe it. Gradually, I will be able to believe that I have won the show."

For Ritesh, the prize money has an emotional purpose. "I want to make a house for my mom. I want to name that house Haridarshan. For that, I will collect more money, and I will also include this money in it and make that home for her," he shared.

While several moments remain special, Ritesh singled out the semi-final performance as one he will never forget. "The 2.5-minute journey that we showed... I was very emotional. I don't get emotional, but I cried a lot that day," he said. "I felt that I was going to lose a very precious thing and I would never get it back in my life."

Pratik Utekar heaps praise for Ritesh

Choreographer Pratik Utekar believes Ritesh's journey is a lesson in perseverance. Recalling a childhood picture Ritesh had sent him, he said, "He is a true example for people who change their field with rejection. They start doubting themselves with rejection. So, how to change rejection into selection? That is Ritesh Pal."

Utekar added, "If your hard work is never-ending, success is at your doorstep. That is Ritesh Pal." He also stressed the importance of consistency, saying, "If you really want to become a dancer and make it as a career, first choose dedication and determination, and then the career itself will choose you."