Priya Patidar: In this industry, nothing is final until the song is actually released

Playback singer Priya Patidar, who recently lent her voice to Welcome to the Jungle, says one of the toughest parts of being in the music industry is simply getting the right opportunity. Reflecting on her journey so far, Priya shares that talent alone is often not enough in an industry filled with aspiring singers.

“I’ve faced many challenges over the years, but I think the biggest one is getting your voice heard by the right people,” she says. “Today, thousands of talented singers come to Mumbai with the same dream of singing for films, so the competition is extremely tough.”

Priya explains that even after a composer likes a singer’s voice, the process remains uncertain. “A song goes through many stages before it’s finally locked and released. Directors, producers, actors, and the creative team are all involved in the final decision,” she says. “So even after getting an opportunity, the journey doesn’t become easy.”

The singer also opens up about the unpredictability of playback singing, admitting that songs can still slip away even after being approved. “Honestly, in this industry, you can never be completely sure of anything until the song is released,” she says. “This has happened to me two or three times before, where I was told my voice was final for big songs, and naturally, I got very excited. But later the team decided to go with a more established singer for commercial reasons.”

Calling those moments heartbreaking, Priya says the emotional attachment makes it even harder. “Once you’re told it’s final, you emotionally connect with the song and even share the happiness with your loved ones. So when it doesn’t happen, it hurts deeply,” she admits. “But over time, I’ve learned to motivate myself and move forward because ups and downs are part of this journey.”

Because of her past experiences, Priya says she has become more cautious about celebrating opportunities too early. “Even with this song, although it had already been approved earlier, I was still hesitant. I didn’t even tell my family until the song was finally released. Only after seeing my name officially attached to it did I truly believe it,” she reveals.

Over the years, Priya has worked on songs like Do Dhaari Talwar from Mere Brother Ki Dulhan, Dil Patiyala featuring Ameesha Patel from Tauba Tera Jalwa, and her independent song Tasveer, which she both wrote and sang. She has also recorded playback tracks in Gujarati, Bengali, Rajasthani, and Punjabi, steadily building her space in the music industry through persistence and passion.