Dubai helps with “Bollywood” dreams.

A school bus attendant has been offered the chance to sing for a studio that records Bollywood songs, and a truck loader has danced his way to a cash prize that will help rebuild his home destroyed in the Nepal earthquake – two dreams that have come to life for winners of a talent competition in Dubai.

India’s Bijimol Chalamma and Aasman Tamang, from Nepal, took the titles at the finals of the Smart Idol competition on Friday night.

The annual talent contest, organised by Dubai based NGO Smart Life, gives workers a chance to showcase their singing and dancing skills.

Both walked away with Dhs5,000 each, and an opportunity to join the Smart Band, through which they can earn money for a year through performances.

But for Chalamma – who won in the singing category after her soulful performance of ‘Aashiqui 2’ hit ‘Sun Raha Hai na Tu’ – the chance to share her voice on stage is the biggest reward of all.

The 39-year-old bus attendant from GEMS World Academy told 7DAYS: “This isn’t about a prize to me. It was my dream to sing on a stage just once in my life. But I never thought it was possible. Now, my dream has come true.”

However, Chalamma is still unable to fathom the idea of singing for Dubai-based recording studio Playback Lounge.

“I don’t know what that means,” she said, adding: “I will do whatever God wishes for me.”