At a time when global pop artists increasingly collaborate across borders, British singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran has offered a heartfelt tribute to the vibrant world of Indian cinema. In a recent Instagram exchange, Sheeran emphasized his deep affection for not just Bollywood but also regional Tollywood films, adding, “No one makes movies like that.”
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His succinct response—“Why not?” I watch loads of Bollywood and Tollywood movies; no one makes movies like that. I love it.” —came in reply to a fan’s incredulous comment doubting his familiarity with Aashiqui 2, the blockbuster Bollywood musical drama that catapulted singer Arijit Singh to fame.
How It All Began: From Aashiqui 2 to a Musical Alliance
Sheeran’s musical journey with India began when he first heard Arijit Singh’s iconic track “Tum Hi Ho,” featured in the 2013 film Aashiqui 2. “I first became aware of Arijit Singh’s music when I watched Aashiqui 2 and heard ‘Tum Hi Ho’. I was spellbound by his voice, the song, and the scene in the movie,” Sheeran shared on Instagram, recounting how he reached out to the playback singer to propose a duet, saying, “Whenever you want to sing together, I’m down”.
This genuine appreciation for Indian cinema and music, rooted in a moment of awe, laid the foundation for one of the most exciting intercultural music projects this year.
‘Sapphire’: A Fusion of East and West
The collaboration came to fruition in the form of “Sapphire”, the third single from Sheeran’s upcoming album Play, released on 5 June 2025. The track is an exemplar of Sheeran’s expanding musical palette—melding Western pop with Punjabi and Hindi musical elements and spotlighting Arijit’s powerful vocals.
Credited to songwriters including Sheeran, Ilya Salmanzadeh, Johnny McDaid, Savan Kotecha, Mayur Puri, Avinash Chouhan, and Arijit Singh himself, and co-produced by Sheeran alongside Ilya and McDaid, Sapphire is a rich cultural tapestry.
Indian Cultural Immersion: From Lyrics to Location
Sheeran went beyond the studio—and even beyond lyrics—to absorb Indian culture firsthand. According to the Sapphire Wikipedia page, he recorded parts of the album in Goa with Indian musicians, and the music video showcases scenes from Indian locales such as Hyderabad, Kolkata, and Shillong. It features Sheeran rapping through bustling markets, riding auto-rickshaws, playing street football, and relaxing on a scooter with Arijit, evoking authentic snapshots of local life.
A standout moment in the video is Bollywood icon Shah Rukh Khan lip-syncing a part of the chorus, an Easter egg that sparked a wave of excitement among fans.
Viral Reaction to Sheeran’s Instagram Comment
Their Instagram exchanges became fodder for global media. While India Today reported the initial fan skepticism—“Bro, in no world did you watch Aashiqui 2”—Sheeran’s prompt and confident reply ignited admiration online. Republic World further highlighted how “his comment is now viral on social media” and noted additional evidence of his affinity for India, like a Punjabi tattoo and candid photos with Shah Rukh Khan and Arijit in India.
Celebrity Bonding: Sheeran Meets Arijit & Shah Rukh
Beyond digital talks, Sheeran’s real-world engagements deepened the connection:
- He made a surprise appearance at one of Arijit Singh’s concerts in London, where they openly brainstormed Sapphire’s arrangement live.
- Earlier this June, Sheeran visited India, where he shared informal moments over coffee with Arijit and shared screen time with Shah Rukh Khan, who sang a line from Sapphire. Fans hailed the footage as “one of the most sincere interactions in recent celebrity media”.
His tattoo—reading “Neelam” in Gurmukhi script, the Sanskrit equivalent of Sapphire—is yet another testament to his personal and artistic investment in this collaboration.
The Global Impact of Cultural Collaboration
With “Sapphire” blending languages, musical styles, and film icons across cultures, the release has drawn praise for its seamless East-West fusion. Critics and fans alike applauded Sheeran’s Hindi and Punjabi vocals, and Shah Rukh Khan’s cameo added a Bollywood touch that resonated globally.
The music video rapidly surpassed 12 million views on YouTube within two days of its June 5 release, underlining the track’s viral appeal and cultural crossover potential.
A New Chapter in Global Music Dialogue
Ed Sheeran’s admiration for Bollywood and Tollywood—“no one makes movies like that”—has evolved into tangible artistic output, from heartfelt posts to award-worthy collaborations. The Sapphire project marks more than just a musical crossover; it reflects Sheeran’s openness to embracing and respecting different cultures, languages, and storytelling methods.
As artists like Sheeran and Singh traverse national and linguistic boundaries to create, their collaborations redefine what pop music can mean in a globalized world—uniting audiences through rhythm, emotion, and mutual cultural respect.
By – Sonali