Chinese shooting star in Bollywood

Chang Meiyang shot to prominence after taking the stage in Indian Idol 3 on the Sony Entertainment TV Channel.

How would you describe the journey of a Chinese-born entertainer in India, speaking and singing in Hindi in talent shows, and even making it to Bollywood?

Chang Meiyang shot to prominence when he dared to take to the stage in Indian Idol 3 on the Sony Entertainment TV Channel and progressed to the top 10 before finishing fifth.

Consequently, Sony Music India signed him to sing on the album Tu To Na Aayi, which had compositions by music directors Leslie Lewis and Amit Trivedi. It was followed by live shows around the world.

Chang was born in 1982 in Dhanbad, Jharkhand. He's descended from Chinese who arrived in India from China's Hubei province in the 18th century. A qualified dentist, he has followed in the footsteps of his father, K. C. Chang, who settled in the coal mining town in 1977 after moving from Patna. His mother, Gaichen, is a beautician and he is an only child.

Although some may call him a Chindian, it is incorrect because both his parents are Chinese.

Since his stage debut, Chang has gone on to co-host India's Got Talent with actor-model Gautam Rode. Then he made history by being the first ex-contestant of Indian Idol to return and host its fourth season. Chang has also tried his hand at sports presenting - for the second season of the Indian Premier League cricket in South Africa.

When Bollywood came knocking on his door, Chang grabbed the opportunity to act in a crime-comedy movie, Badmaash Company (Rogue Company). Released by Yash Raj Films in 2010, the film had mixed reviews and did above average at the box office.

Sadly for his legion of female fans, there is someone very close to his heart. Indian media agency dna reported in May 2010 that Chang is attached.

He is in love. Chang is dating singer Monali Thakur who came to prominence with Indian Idol and later with the Katrina Kaif song Zara Zara Touch Me from the movie Race.

That is not all. Chang danced his way to the top in the Indian equivalent of Dancing With The Stars - Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa Season 4, the reality TV dance show for celebrities.

In the process, he eclipsed the consistent TV actor Sushant Singh Rajput and Czech-born model-actress Yana Gupta, who dazzled with her fluid and graceful performances.

Chang, who shared the cash prize of Rs 50 lakhs (more than $80,000) with Marischa Fernandes, his choreographer and dance partner, told The Times of India after the victory: "My girlfriend singer Monali Thakur wants me to spend the prize money on her. She wants me to buy her jewelry and other stuff. But seriously, I don't mind. Monali has been my anchor and support. When I was drifting away from singing, she pulled me back on the right track."

He described himself as a jack-of-all-trades. "I started in showbiz late. I was a dentist. I became a singer at 24 and was noticed on Indian Idol. Now I am a dancer, too. When I remember my two left feet at the beginning of Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa, I still shudder. I can't believe I made it all the way to the top."

Chang, unsure of his next step in showbiz, also told the newspaper: "I'm at an age when I want to try everything. Is that good or bad? I don't know. All I know is that I am here to push my own limits.

"As far as my acting is concerned, I'm limited by my looks. When I came in, I was told I could be another Danny Denzongpa. I'm still waiting for that to happen."

www.theindependent.sg