Singer-songwriter Jasleen Royal, known for hits like Ranjha, Heeriye, Kho Gaye Hum Kahan, and Sang Rahiyo, recently opened up about her challenging experience performing at Coldplay’s concert at D.Y. Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai this January. Although the opportunity was monumental, her performance faced sharp criticism from several attendees, who described it as “off-key” and “disappointing.” Months after the event, Jasleen has broken her silence, reflecting emotionally on the backlash.
On April 6, Jasleen released a heartfelt video titled Dare To Dream on her YouTube channel, offering a behind-the-scenes glimpse into her Coldplay concert journey. The video didn’t shy away from showcasing the social media backlash, highlighting the negative reactions she received.
In one poignant moment, Jasleen was seen visibly emotional before her second-day performance, confiding in a team member, “Yaar, kal nahi hua tha. Kal problem kya hua tha? In-ears phat kyu rahe the mere?” indicating that technical issues with her in-ear monitors had hampered her Day 1 set. Another team member acknowledged the mishap, saying, “That creative part I will leave to you. Technical part, we are sorry.”
Overwhelmed by the pressure, Jasleen, in a distressed state, was also heard saying, “After a certain point, I can feel it like it’s time to go home. There’s a lot of pressure. I’ll de. I swear I’ll de. I am still processing. It was a lot to process.”
During her set, Jasleen addressed the crowd directly, sharing her vulnerable side: “I have been nervous; it has been overwhelming. But thank you for keeping your faith in me. It means a lot.”
Later in the video, she opened up further about her struggles with anxiety leading up to the performance. Jasleen admitted she worried the audience—primarily Coldplay fans—might question her presence at the event and feel disconnected from her music. Being a self-taught musician, she acknowledged her imperfections but emphasized her commitment to constant improvement.
Her biggest motivation, Jasleen shared, was to make India proud. “I just wanted people to feel that the opening act from India was a good choice,” she said, explaining that this was the only pressure she had put on herself.
Despite the challenges, Dare To Dream stands as a testament to Jasleen’s resilience, offering fans an honest, raw look at the highs and lows of chasing one’s dreams on one of the world’s biggest stages.