Delhi University days were special to me, says Jasleen Royal

You seem to have begun the year on a good note.
This year has just started and it has been great overall. Phillauri is doing well. I got to collaborate with Mika Singh for the Anushka Sharma film at such an early stage of my career. It was great!

Was it fun for a Ludhiana girl like you to be part of a project that was based in Punjab? Also,
Yes, indeed! I remember sitting with Anvita Dutt (the writer of the film) and my mom packing makki di roti and saag for us. And, at Mika’s place, we enjoyed some delicious butter chicken. All in all, it was this big fat Punjabi-bonding happening throughout the film.

Has being a self-taught artiste impacted your work any  way? Positive as well as negative?
Even if I were trained, I am sure I would have to go looking for work like I have and relentlessly keep visiting production houses. But there are pros and cons of being a self-taught  musician. When people tell me to do a certain kind of music, I never say no because I have always been experimenting. My first reaction has always been to say ‘let’s try this’ but when you belong to a certain school of music, you have restrictions and limitations. But then, trained singers have such great control over their voice. So, the idea is to keep learning. I don’t have regrets. It’s not even like I am very content with what I have achieved. But I am in a good place. I’m still getting to do the kind of work that I feel like doing. It’s a dream come true to be working with people whom I’ve grown up idealising. I’m working a lot and there’s so much more music that I want to create. And also I’m doing a lot of live shows from Bangkok to Dubai. I recently performed at Jesus and Mary College too.

How were your Delhi University (DU) days?
My DU days were very special. I always wanted to come to Delhi to get more exposure. And I also always wanted to come DU to get exposed to different kind of music. I was an ECA quota student and participated in many college fests. My friends used to show up for my gigs when no one used to. Playing the guitar and jamming at the Virgin Tree in my college (Hindu College) will always be a cherished memory. Also, it was during college, when I went for India’s Got Talent.

What do you like more — composing or singing?
I enjoy both. I want best of all worlds.

Being a composer of many love tracks, are you a romantic at heart too?
Even though I am happily single, I feel that love is all around us. I love my God, my family and friends. Also, I’ve no time to chill out but I am not complaining. This is what I have always wanted to do. I am happy that my friends tolerate my mood swings.

What will keep you busy in the coming months?
There is Fukrey 2 and I am working on Sunny Deol’s son’s launch movie.

It was director Vikas Bahl (who has been accused of molestation) who got you in the world of Phantom Films. What kind of person you have found him to be?
I remember chasing Vikas after watching Queen. I got Ghoomketu, a film made under Phantom Films banner because of him. He was extremely busy as he was working on Shaandaar but he heard my couple of songs and in the initial couple of meetings, he was very encouraging. I don’t know the truth behind the allegations, but personally, I found him to be a really kind and nice person.