“As the entertainment world went through a very difficult time due to the Coronavirus pandemic last year, the music industry was the only place where work continued to happen despite the lockdown. So, while live musicians lost out on a lot of gigs etc., they also got a chance to get in touch with their inner creative self,” says singer Priya Saraiya.

But the pandemic also meant that Bollywood music was non-existent as only independent music was being made. While she does not want to compare the two, Saraiya, who has sung songs such as Jaise Mera Tu (Happy Ending; 2014) and Sun Saathiya (ABCD 2; 2015), says that Bollywood music is more difficult as it has to be written according to a certain set up and hence, there are limitations.

Saraiya has also written the lyrics to Bollywood songs such as Mileya Mileya (Happy Ending) and Pyaar Toh Tha (Bala; 2019), among others. And she says that Bollywood gives opportunities to everybody but it is what you make of those opportunities that matters.

“Everybody has their own struggles. Getting a break in Bollywood is easier than sustaining in Bollywood. It is easy to get your first song, second song or even third song but what after that? Then it becomes only about your talent and about how good you are with your craft,” she says.

She adds, “Opportunities are there for everyone. I see all these reality show singers who are so talented and are all getting chances. Now, it has become easier due to the digital platforms. So, things have definitely become easier than they were 10 years back.”