Jasleen Royal has entered 2024 with renewed self-belief. It comes from the appreciation that her two independent singles, Heeriye and Dastoor, received last year. As per a popular music streaming app’s year-end lists, Heeriye ranked among the top 10 streamed songs that included King’s Maan meri jaan, Brahmāstra’s Kesariya—both of which were released in 2022—Jawan’s Chaleya and Shubh’s Punjabi number Cheques. “At times, people say, ‘Why aren’t you making film music anymore? Why have you switched to independent music? It will never have that kind of reach.’ But when I see all these lists, I feel validated,” smiles the musician, glad to have proved her naysayers wrong.