Meiyang Chang on his journey, the ups and downs of being an actor: ‘I am more than just my looks or ethnicity’

Read the edited excerpts below:

Q: During your career, you’ve worked with many established actors. Who is the most disciplined on set, and who is the most fun?

Meiyang Chang: While many fit these parameters, I have a special fondness for those who balance discipline and fun: Naseer sahab, Dibyendu Bhattacharya, Yeo Yann Yann, Arshad Warsi, Anand Tiwari, Gulshan Devaiah, Vir Das. These guys bring an incredible, joyful gravitas (if there’s such a thing) to the set, and we’re all richer for it.

Q: As an actor, you are expected to look a certain way. What does your daily fitness routine entail?

Meiyang Chang: In addition to the regular weight training programme 3-4 times a week, I try to fit in a run and the occasional yoga and Pilates session. The key aspects are adequate rest, hydration, supplementation, good social interactions, meditation, and a healthy diet. There’s no magic formula, just discipline. Clinical, sometimes dull, but very effective.

Q: Do you also follow a strict diet? If yes, what does your menu usually include?

Meiyang Chang: Strict diets are not for me, as I love food as much as I love my health. I focus on portion controls rather than depriving myself of the goodies. My preferred menu would be a selection of Asian cuisine (not the Indianised variant), which is healthy, flavorful, filling yet light on the gut, and rich in protein and fibre.

 

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Q: Despite starring in many films and series, do you feel the industry has been fair to you? If not, why?

Meiyang Chang: It would be arrogant of me to judge the fairness or lack thereof as an individual, because the industry has given a lot to this outsider. And mind you, I’m not your typical one. What I can confidently say is that it hasn’t yet unearthed my full potential as an actor. I’ve played some exciting roles over the years, but I’m more than just my looks or ethnicity, and I am capable of much more. I’m working hard, I’m raring to go, and I’m waiting for the thought processes to change to bring about the change.

Q: The world of entertainment can be highly unpredictable. While highs are always thrilling, how do you handle the lows and, at such times, prioritise your mental health?

Meiyang Chang: Personally, for me, being a realist helps. Knowing that there will be ups and downs, that not everyone wins the lottery, and that it’s okay to feel the emotions that come with the crests and troughs without going over the edge, whether in euphoria or in depression.

I’m very grateful for the good times. And when the going is tough, I know I must batten down to weather the storm. Time is a great teacher. If you’re patient enough, everything will eventually be all right. I know artists place a high premium on their work, but it’s vital to remember that it is an integral part of life, not life itself (as romantic as the latter may sound). Finding joy in simple, everyday things & kinship while you work hard for your next goal holds the key.

Q: If not for Indian Idol, how do you think your career would have panned out?

Meiyang Chang: It wouldn’t have been so exciting, but I believe I would have done well as a dentist too, something I had studied for (although I might have moved abroad for better prospects). I’m a practical kind of guy, so auditioning for Indian Idol was a calculated risk. If it works out, the world’s my oyster. If it doesn’t, I have a solid backup. I’m grateful to have followed my passion.

Vir Das, Anushka Sharma, Shahid Kapoor and Meiyang Chang in a still from Badmaash Company.

Q. One thing not many people know about you.

Meiyang Chang: I’m deeply philosophical.

Q: Could you tell us about your performance at the Udaipur Tales International Storytelling Festival? In what ways will it be different?

Meiyang Chang: Unlike my usual flashy Bollywood gigs, I’m doing an intimate, unplugged set of Hindi and Urdu pop and ghazals, with a few regional songs in the mix. This will be a new experience for me as well, and I hope the audience enjoys it as well.

Q: What keeps bringing you back to the stage, despite having tasted success in front of the camera?

Meiyang Chang: It would be boring and criminal to possess some blessings and not share them with the public. I’ve been multitasking since I started 18 years ago. It’s so common nowadays. As I have mentioned, the connection matters, not the medium.

Q: Whether music or acting, storytelling is a massive part of what you do. How, in your view, has the form evolved/faded over the years?

Meiyang Chang: Storytelling as an art form will never die. It will continue to evolve and coexist in different avatars, from oral to written to radio to audiovisual. It will be adapted according to times, attention spans, what is culturally resonant, and will find its specific audiences, among other considerations. For example, current trends suggest that live, bite-sized, relatable personal experiences & repackaged nostalgia is all the rage. Music is blended into nonstop mashups and medleys, storytelling is snappier and thrill-a-minute, and a long-form article may not be read through in full, even if one sits through 13 hours of a web series.

Even amidst all this, there will be the outliers, the old school style that will resonate nonetheless.