Sheeran has contributed vocals to Tu Mil Jaaye, a song from the much-anticipated action film. The collaboration marks his first appearance as a singer in an Indian film, opening a new chapter in his musical journey.
The British singer recently shared a video from a recording studio on social media, offering a glimpse into the experience and explaining how the project came about. According to Sheeran, his growing friendship with Shah Rukh Khan played a central role in bringing the collaboration to life.
The story dates back to Sheeran’s visit to India, when his friendship with the Bollywood star became closer. During that visit, the singer went to Mannat to film a special sequence for his song Sapphire. It was there that Khan introduced him to popular Indian music composer duo Sachin-Jigar.
Sheeran revealed that, during their first meeting, Khan had expressed a desire to feature his voice in one of his future films. What initially appeared to be a friendly suggestion eventually became reality.
Recalling the experience, Sheeran said his friendship with Khan had developed over several years. During his previous visit to Mannat, while working on the special sequence for Sapphire, the actor introduced him to Sachin-Jigar. Later that same evening, Sheeran wrote the lyrics for his portion of Tu Mil Jaaye and recorded his vocals.
The collaboration also brought together two prominent voices from different musical backgrounds. Indian playback singer Arijit Singh has joined Sheeran on the track, making the song an interesting meeting of international pop and contemporary Indian film music.
Sheeran expressed particular excitement about working alongside Arijit, describing his involvement in the song as a pleasure. The opportunity to share a musical project with one of India’s most popular singers added another memorable element to his first Bollywood assignment.
Shah Rukh Khan was equally delighted with the collaboration. After Sheeran shared the recording studio video on social media, the actor reposted it on his Instagram account and thanked his friend for contributing to the film.
Khan specifically appreciated Sheeran’s efforts in singing the Hindi portions of the track. Expressing his affection and gratitude, the actor wrote: “Thank you so much, my friend, for doing this song. Especially the Hindi parts. Love you.”
The public exchange between the two stars offered fans a glimpse into the friendship behind the musical partnership. It also highlighted Sheeran’s willingness to step outside his familiar musical territory and embrace a new language and cultural setting.
Tu Mil Jaaye was released on 2 November, marking Shah Rukh Khan’s 61st birthday. The timing of the release, combined with the involvement of two widely recognised singers, helped generate considerable interest among music lovers.
The song reportedly attracted around 60 million views across platforms within its first 24 hours. On YouTube alone, it received more than 36.3 million views and over 430,000 likes during its opening day.
With those figures, Tu Mil Jaaye surpassed the first-day viewership record of Zinda Banda, another popular song from Shah Rukh Khan’s film Jawan. The achievement made the new track a major talking point in the Indian film music industry.
The involvement of an internationally recognised artist such as Sheeran has added to the song’s appeal. His collaboration with Arijit Singh also brings together two distinct musical traditions, potentially attracting listeners beyond their respective fan bases.
Meanwhile, anticipation continues to build around King, Shah Rukh Khan’s upcoming action film, which is scheduled for release on 24 December.
The film features an ensemble cast, with Shah Rukh Khan joined by his daughter Suhana Khan, Abhishek Bachchan, Jackie Shroff, Arshad Warsi and Raghav Juyal. Rani Mukerji, Kareena Kapoor Khan and Deepika Padukone are also expected to appear in special roles.
With a prominent cast, an action-driven storyline and an international musical collaboration, King is already attracting considerable attention ahead of its release.
For Sheeran, the project represents more than just another musical assignment. A friendship with one of Bollywood’s biggest stars has given him an opportunity to explore Indian cinema and work alongside some of the country’s leading musical talent. What started with a simple invitation at Mannat has now become a notable collaboration between international pop music and Bollywood.
