From selling Rs 20 CDs to Dhurandhar: Singer opens up about staying honest mattered more than staying visible

Long before her voice echoed across film soundtracks and streaming playlists, Jasmine Sandlas was just a teenager trying to be heard. No big label, no industry backing—just self-made CDs and belief. Today, as her songs for Dhurandhar and its sequel trend across platforms, a lesser-known part of her journey is striking a chord again: a story of persistence, identity, and choosing honesty over constant visibility in an industry that often demands the opposite.

Jasmine Sandlas, known for her distinctive blend of Punjabi roots and global sound, has recently been in the spotlight for tracks such as Shararat and the title song from Dhurandhar, as well as Main Aur Tu and Jaiye Sajna from Dhurandhar: The Revenge. But beyond the chart success lies a journey that has been anything but conventional.

In a recent interaction with Humans of Bombay, Sandlas reflected on a defining moment tied to her latest work. One of the film’s songs was recorded just hours before release, in the early hours of the morning. Exhausted yet emotionally present, she stepped into the studio at 4 am and delivered Jaiye Sajana in a state that was raw and unfiltered. For her, it was a reminder that sometimes the most honest performances emerge not from perfection, but from vulnerability.

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Her story, however, begins far from recording studios and film sets. Growing up in Jalandhar, she was a young girl with a notebook, writing poems and shaping thoughts into melodies. Fame was never the goal. Encouragement from her mother to never suppress her voice stayed with her, quietly shaping her confidence long before she understood its impact.

At 13, she moved to California, stepping into a completely different world. The transition brought with it a sense of dislocation and uncertainty. Caught between cultures, she struggled to fully belong, but music became her constant. Drawing from Punjabi influences and West Coast hip-hop, she slowly carved out a sound that felt like her own.


By the age of 16, she had already begun chasing her path in her own way. Without waiting for industry validation, she would stand outside clubs distributing CDs she had created herself, often priced at just Rs 20. There were no shortcuts, no connections, and no guarantee of success—only a belief that someone, somewhere, would listen.

Her early release, Muskan, marked a turning point, even though it left her feeling exposed. That vulnerability, however, became a stepping stone. Over time, songs like Gulabi, Yaar Na Miley, and Illegal Weapon helped her reach a wider audience, turning her into a recognisable voice across industries. Yet, even as her popularity grew, she found herself resisting the pressure to fit into a defined mould.

Rather than chasing constant visibility, Sandlas chose to step back when needed. For her, authenticity mattered more than staying in the spotlight. That choice, though unconventional, became central to her identity as an artist. It allowed her to return to music on her own terms, without compromising the honesty that defined her work.

Dhurandhar marked another significant phase in her career. The project pushed her creatively and emotionally, demanding not just technical precision but emotional depth. Recording Jaiye Sajana under pressure, just hours before release, became symbolic of her journey—imperfect, intense, and deeply real.

Even today, despite her success, there is a sense that she remains grounded in her beginnings. The girl who once handed out CDs outside clubs still exists in the artist who values expression over perfection. Her journey, from selling music for Rs 20 to delivering last-minute recordings for major films, reflects not just growth but a consistent commitment to staying true to herself.