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.