Global pop icon Ed Sheeran has never shied away from expressing his love for India, and his latest video interview with Zane Lowe is further proof. Speaking about his recent visit to the country, Ed opened up about his month-long journey to shoot the music video for his new track Sapphire, part of his eighth studio album Play. From collaborating with Arijit Singh to exploring cultural diversity across regions, Sheeran called it “one of the most amazing days in my musical career.”
“We thought we needed to go all over the country and shoot a little bit everywhere,” Ed said in the video. “Every 100 miles, the culture, language, food, fashion, rhythms everything changed. There are also talents there that have existed for decades that you would not know about,” he added, expressing awe at the rich artistic landscape India offers.
The Om Shanti Om Revelation
In one of the most surprising yet delightful moments of the interview, Ed Sheeran heaped praise on Shah Rukh Khan’s 2007 classic Om Shanti Om, comparing it to Star Wars. “It’s like introducing Star Wars to someone for the first time and they go, ‘What the f** is this?’” Ed said, laughing. “It has amazing songs and dances, and it’s just a wealth of discovery.”
He emphasized how discovering Indian cinema has opened his eyes to a new kind of storytelling. “Someone went, ‘Have you seen this movie?’ And I watched Om Shanti Om. It’s just amazing,” Ed recalled.
A Deep Dive Into Indian Culture
While in India, Ed Sheeran not only worked with Arijit Singh — one of the country’s biggest musical icons — but also fully immersed himself in local experiences. From riding autos and walking the streets of West Bengal to performing live on the streets of Hyderabad, Ed soaked in India’s vibrant energy. His video shoot for Sapphire captured the heart of India, both visually and emotionally.
About Om Shanti Om
Directed by Farah Khan and produced by Red Chillies Entertainment, Om Shanti Om starred Shah Rukh Khan and marked Deepika Padukone’s Bollywood debut. The reincarnation drama with a musical twist became a massive hit, collecting ₹148.20 crore globally. Its iconic song Deewangi Deewangi, featuring 31 Bollywood stars, remains a fan favourite to this day.