Singer Priya Patidar has lent her voice to the title track of the upcoming Bollywood film 'Welcome To The Jungle', marking her first major playback debut after nearly two decades of chasing her dream in Mumbai. The singer says the experience has been nothing short of surreal, particularly given the film's massive ensemble cast headlined by Akshay Kumar.

A Dream Two Decades in the Making

Patidar moved to Mumbai as a teenager and has spent 18 years working toward a breakthrough in Bollywood playback singing. 'It feels like a dream come true. Being part of such a huge project with an incredible star cast, especially alongside my favourite actor, Akshay Kumar sir, feels surreal,' she said. 'This is my first big Bollywood project, and I'm grateful and excited for many more opportunities ahead.'

Reflecting on the long road that led to this moment, she added: 'There were many ups and downs along the way, but today I value that struggle because it taught me patience, hard work, and resilience. I always believed that this opportunity would come to me, whether sooner or later.'

How the Song Came Together

Patidar's entry into the project came through her prior association with composer Vikram Montrose, with whom she had previously collaborated on several tracks. 'One day, he called me for a recording session, and I didn't even ask whether it was for a film or something else,' she recalled. 'The moment he played the 'Welcome' title track, I was shocked and excited. At the same time, I knew the song was still at a very initial stage, so I simply recorded my part and left it at that.'

Notably, she deliberately chose not to follow up after the session. 'I never followed up or asked him what was happening with the song because I didn't want to feel heartbroken if things didn't work out. I felt that if it was meant to happen, he would tell me himself,' she said. The confirmation came only a few days before the song's release, when Montrose called to inform her that the track had gone out in her voice.

On Recreating an Iconic Track

The original 'Welcome' franchise, which began with the 2007 film, holds nostalgic significance for Patidar. 'I grew up watching Welcome, which was released in 2007, and I remember humming its songs as a child. So the entire experience felt nostalgic and surreal,' she said. Asked about the pressure that typically accompanies remakes — which often draw criticism online — she said she was focused purely on the moment. 'At that moment, I wasn't thinking about remakes, criticism, or trolling. I was simply happy and grateful to be part of something so special.'

About 'Welcome To The Jungle'

'Welcome To The Jungle' boasts one of Hindi cinema's most expansive ensemble casts, featuring Akshay Kumar, Sanjay Dutt, Suniel Shetty, Arshad Warsi, Paresh Rawal, Raveena Tandon, Disha Patani, Lara Dutta, Jacqueline Fernandez, Shreyas Talpade, Aftab Shivdasani, Mika Singh, Johnny Lever, Rajpal Yadav, Krushna Abhishek, Kiku Sharda, Daler Mehndi, Tusshar Kapoor, and several others. The film marks a continuation of the beloved Welcome franchise, and anticipation around its music and cast has been building steadily ahead of its release.

For Patidar, the journey from a teenage dreamer arriving in Mumbai to a voice on one of Bollywood's most-awaited soundtracks represents a full-circle moment — and, by her own account, just the beginning.