The countdown to the Dance Plus Season 2 grand finale kept fans glued to their screens throughout September 2016, as four standout acts fought for the title on the night of September 25. Here’s how the finale actually played out — and who walked away with the trophy.
The Road to the Finale
Before the final showdown, the competition had narrowed to four finalists, each backed by one of the show’s three mentors:
- Tanay Malhara — Team Dharmesh
- Wild Ripperz Crew — Team Dharmesh
- Piyush Bhagat — Team Shakti
- Sushant Khatri — Team Shakti
Notably, two of the four finalists came from Team Dharmesh, giving mentor Dharmesh Yelande a strong shot at back-to-back wins after V Company’s Season 1 victory. Team Shakti, meanwhile, had its own compelling story — Sushant Khatri, one of its finalists, had traveled all the way from Nepal to compete.
Who Won the Dance Plus 2 Finale?
When the votes were counted, 14-year-old Tanay Malhara was declared the winner, edging out his own Team Dharmesh crewmate, the Wild Ripperz, who finished as runner-up. Piyush Bhagat and Sushant Khatri, both from Team Shakti, rounded out the finale as second and third runner-up respectively.
At just 14, Malhara had already built a following through his earlier appearance on DID Li’l Masters Season 2, but Dance Plus 2 turned him into a household name almost overnight.
Finale Night Highlights
The September 25 broadcast wasn’t short on star power. Bollywood actor Ranbir Kapoor made an appearance to promote Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, while Olympic bronze medalist wrestler Sakshi Malik joined as a special guest — reportedly triggering a rare “double plus” reaction from super judge Remo D’Souza when she hit the show’s iconic button, a first in the series’ history at that point.
Prize Money and Rewards
Malhara’s win came with a substantial prize package: ₹25 lakh in cash, the Dance Plus 2 trophy, and a car, according to multiple contemporary reports. The runners-up also received a mix of rewards, including cash and two-wheelers, though Malhara’s overall haul remained the standout of the night.
Final Thoughts
The Dance Plus 2 finale delivered exactly the kind of drama fans had hoped for — a close-fought battle between two strong mentors’ teams, a starry guest lineup, and a breakout win for a 14-year-old who’d go on to become one of the show’s most memorable champions. Nearly a decade later, Tanay Malhara’s Season 2 victory remains one of the franchise’s defining moments.