Ed Sheeran’s ‘Sapphire’: A Cross-Cultural Masterpiece Featuring Arijit Singh and Shah Rukh Khan

Ed Sheeran’s ‘Sapphire’: A Cross-Cultural Masterpiece Featuring Arijit Singh and Shah Rukh Khan

Ed Sheeran has unveiled his latest single, Sapphire, a captivating fusion of Western pop and Indian musical elements, featuring the soulful vocals of Indian playback singer Arijit Singh. Released on June 5, 2025, as the third single from his upcoming album Play, the track showcases Sheeran’s deepening connection with Indian culture and music. 

A Cultural Collaboration

Sapphire marks Sheeran’s first collaboration with an Indian artist, blending his signature acoustic style with Punjabi musical influences. The song was recorded in Goa with Indian musicians and filmed across various cities in India, including Kolkata, Shillong, and Hyderabad. The music video captures Sheeran’s immersion in Indian street culture—riding auto-rickshaws, playing football with children, and exploring busy markets. Arijit Singh appears throughout the video, including a scene where he shares a scooter ride with Sheeran. The video concludes with a cameo appearance by Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan, who lip-syncs part of the chorus, drawing widespread attention. 

Behind the Scenes

The music video for Sapphire was directed by Liam Pethick and filmed across various cities in India, including Kolkata, Shillong, and Hyderabad. It features Sheeran participating in Indian street culture—riding auto-rickshaws, playing football with children, and exploring busy markets. Arijit Singh appears throughout the video, including a scene where he shares a scooter ride with Sheeran. The video ends with a cameo appearance by Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan, who lip-syncs part of the chorus, drawing widespread attention. 

Fan Reactions

The release of Sapphire has generated significant buzz among fans worldwide. The music video quickly went viral, garnering over 30 million views on YouTube within its first few days. Sheeran’s Punjabi vocals were widely praised on social media, and Shah Rukh Khan’s surprise appearance was celebrated by fans around the world. 

Fans have expressed their excitement and affection on social media, with some humorously suggesting that Sheeran should be granted an Aadhaar card in recognition of his enthusiasm for Indian culture. 

Looking Ahead

Sapphire is part of Sheeran’s upcoming album Play, which promises to showcase his exploration of diverse musical influences. The collaboration with Arijit Singh and the incorporation of Indian cultural elements signal Sheeran’s commitment to creating music that resonates with a global audience. Fans eagerly anticipate the full album release and look forward to more cross-cultural collaborations in the future.

For a glimpse into the making of Sapphire and the camaraderie between Sheeran, Singh, and Khan, check out the behind-the-scenes footage below:

Ed Sheeran, Arijit Singh, and Shah Rukh Khan Behind the Scenes of ‘Sapphire’