Global music sensation Ed Sheeran has released the music video for his latest single Sapphire, a track that stands out for more reason than one. Not only does it seamlessly combine Western and Punjabi sounds, but also pays a deep tribute to India. This is not the first time though that Sheeran has expressed his love for India.
Part of his upcoming eighth studio album Play, the Sapphire number is a cross-cultural collaboration featuring the superstar, the one and only Shah Rukh Khan and playback legend Arijit Singh. The video, which was released a few days back, shows Sheeran exploring iconic Indian locales and immersing himself in the culture, from the vibrant streets of Kolkata to the historic sets of Baahubali in Hyderabad.
Arijit Singh lends his voice to a verse sung in Punjabi, while Shah Rukh Khan makes a surprise appearance, singing along with Sheeran in what fans are calling one of the most memorable musical moments of the year. In the video, we see Sheeran in a never-seen-before light — riding local buses, dancing in cafés, and sailing across the Hooghly River. Much of the video is shot from a first-person perspective, placing viewers right alongside the singer as he journeys across the country.
Watch the song here:
Ahead of the release, Sheeran had teased the project as a blend of Western and Punjabi musical elements. He previously shared that Arijit Singh assisted him in understanding and crafting the Punjabi lyrics, although it wasn’t clear at the time whether Singh would appear on the track. His verse came as a pleasant surprise to fans.
Produced as part of the album Play, which is scheduled for release on September 12, Sapphire marks the third single to drop ahead of the album. The first track, Azizam, released in April, was a tribute to Persian culture and was accompanied by a looper session filmed on the rooftops of Old Delhi. This was followed by Old Phone, an emotionally resonant track with a touching video of Sheeran performing a surprise gig in a local pub.
Speaking about Old Phone, Sheeran said, “I wanted fans to all come to this special first pop-up Old Phone pub gig to all be there for the same reason and be emotionally connected. I wanted everyone in that room to have felt the same feelings of nostalgia, longing, joy and sadness I had felt from going through my old phone.”
Despite each track on Play taking on a different sound and theme, Sapphire continues the album’s style of Sheeran’s personal storytelling through cultural appreciation. Sheeran completed the album during a quiet trip to Goa.
Sapphire is shaping up to be more than just another music video — it’s Ed Sheeran’s love letter to India.