More than 15 years ago, Meiyang Chang became a household of sorts when he was part of singing competition Indian Idol. Since then, the show and music have remained an inseparable part of his identity, even as he moved into other T.V. gigs including hosting and competing in (separately, of course) reality shows as well as anchoring live telecasts and acting in Bollywood films like Detective Byomkesh Bakshy! and Salman Khan-starring blockbusters like Sultan and Bharat.
The whole time, singing has always been a part of Chang’s focus, even if it’s mostly his take on popular Indian film and pop songs as part of his series #SingChang. There have been singles and collaborations like “Hanju” with Tony Kakkar and Neha Kakkar, plus his recent singles “Safarnama” from 2021 and “Mujhe Tum Nazar Se” earlier this year, all of which prove that Chang still values not just his vocal ability but also a deeper appreciation for music. In September, he released his heartbreak song “Jhoothi Chai,” with lyrics by Manan Bhardwaj and music produced by Rajat Kumar via Namyoho Studios. Eschewing the high-energy dramatic proclamations of love or an intense tear-jerker tale of woe, Chang instead makes a comforting, reflective romantic song that flows in a fairly mature way. “Jhoothi Chai” is part of an upcoming EP called Returning, coming up in 2024.
In an email interview with Rolling Stone India, Chang looks back at the journey since Indian Idol in 2007, the state of reality T.V. and the music industry in India, his latest song and what’s next. Excerpts:
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة December 2023 من RollingStone India.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة December 2023 من RollingStone India.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
Akshath Plots India Tour on the Back of Hit Song 'Nadaaniyan'
Mumbai artist's breezy love song took over streaming charts and short-video platforms
Aksh Baghla and 10CM Swap Languages in 'Spring Snow' Hindi Version
The Indian pop artist got the South Korean indie-pop artist to sing in Hindi on his hit song from the 'Lovely Runner, Part 8' soundtrack
Sukha Talks New EP '2003' and the Success of '8 Asle'
The Toronto-based Punjabi artist also looks back at hits like 'Sangdi' and the EP 'Undisputed'
Masrat Un Nisa on Channeling Raj Begum in Upcoming Film 'Songs of Paradise'
Inspired by the legendary Kashmiri voice Raj Begum, the singer talks about working with filmmaker Danish Renzu, who has also called on her for songs with his label Renzu Music
How Daira's 'Jaadoo Bastar' Tapped Into Chhattisgarh Tribal Stories
Mumbai rock band teamed up with artists including Lakheshwar Khudaram and Hindi lyricist Alok Ranjan Srivastava for five songs and a documentary that goes behind the scenes of the project
Peekay Embraces Djent on 'Merciless' and Plots an L.A. Move
The Hyderabad artist worked with guitarist Jonathan Edward and prog band Skyharbor's Keshav Dhar on the track
The Derelicts Take a 'Highway Drive' on Euphoric New Song
The Kochi disco-pop/electronica band introduce a science fiction-informed storyline for their first release since 2018
Sudan on How 'Happy Accidents' Led To His Genre-Defying Debut Album
Mumbai-based producer and multiinstrumentalist launched 'Sudan?' in August with a collab-heavy list of guests including Tejas, Frizzell D'Souza and more
Zubin Mehta Talks Symphony Orchestra of India Concerts
The Mumbai-born conductor leads a slightly offbeat selection for the SOI Autumn 2024 Season, taking place on Aug. 17 and 18, followed by Aug. 24 and 25
Ameya Saraf: 'I Wanted to Do Music for Life the First Time I Picked Up a Guitar'
Los Angeles-based Indian composer and producer worked his way from the rock scene to assisting pop artist Arjun Kanungo at the latter's Promethean Studio in Mumbai