Harinath Reddy after with the trophy in Berhampur. Picture by Gopal Krishna Reddy

Berhampur, March 21: Choreographer Harinath Reddy and his group have become the second from the city to shoot to the limelight in a reality TV show.

After T. Krishna Mohan Reddy and his Prince dance group from Berhampur became champions in TV show India’s Got Talent in 2009, choreographer Harinath, incidentally Krishna’s younger brother, and his group emerged victorious in the final of reality TV show Chak Dhoom Dhoom Season 2 Team Challenge yesterday. Krishna considers elder brother Harinath to be his mentor.

Harinath Reddy and his group had millions of artistes and art lovers across the globe enthralled by their choreography. The breathtaking formations of the group in the final round of the dance show left viewers awestruck.

Harinath, who is in his 30s, arrived at his Brit Colony residence here from Mumbai on Sunday evening. The team was welcomed by thousands from the city. “My experience in dancing has helped me grab the title. I and 10 of my troupe members are absolutely ecstatic!” he said.

He thanked the people of Orissa for their support in sending text messages in their favour. On the downside, two of the members of his troupe sustained leg fractures during the show.

“About 600 groups from all over the country appeared for the audition at Mumbai and 12 were selected in the mega audition on January 14. We have been practising continuously for five days a week throughout the period. I was eagerly waiting to show off my talent at the national level. My dream has been fulfilled at last,” said the dancer who is a choreographer in Hyderabad and has even worked in a Telugu film. “My parents attended the finals and I’m really happy to have performed in front of them.”

Needless to say, Harinath’s proud parents are elated. “As kids, both Hari and Krishna enjoyed dancing at marriage processions to the tune of recorded songs. We could not afford to provide them formal training in dance, but the youngsters opened up a dance school in the house and today their groups are famous all over the country,” said Reddy’s mother Lilabati.

During the finale of the dance reality show that was judged by Terence Lewis, Javed Jaffrey and Urmila Matondkar (who replaced actress Mallika Sherawat in the show), Harinath’s team beat Rohan & Group, Rock On and A.M. Unit.

The group performed freestyle to the theme of tribal dance.