Just a few days ago, I was casually scrolling through Instagram when I stumbled upon a reel Ed Sheeran, singing with Arijit Singh, belting out, “Cham cham chamke sitare wargi…”
Wait. What? Another AI video?
For a second, I genuinely thought, is this another one of those AI mashups?
But curiosity got the better of me. I headed straight to YouTube to watch the full video. And honestly? I didn’t see it coming.
A song that blends English and Punjabi, visuals straight from the heart of India, and to top it all; Arijit Singh and Shah Rukh Khan. That’s not just a music video. That’s a full-blown cultural celebration.
The moment I hit play, I was hooked. Ed’s soft vocals, Arijit’s soulful touch, and lyrics that felt oddly familiar even in a foreign tune, worked. And the video?
Pure India. Not the overdone postcard version. The real one. The messy, colourful, heartwarming one.
A British Tune with an Indian Soul
Ed Sheeran’s Desi Twist
Ed Sheeran has always been known for tugging at heartstrings but this time he dipped that string in desi colours. Sapphire is not just another international release. It is layered with something deeper. Maybe it is Arijit Singh’s smooth voice echoing in Punjabi or the way the lyrics switch between two worlds so effortlessly. “Cham cham chamke sitare wargi…”
What truly struck me was the video.
The Video That Stole the Show
Filmed guerrilla-style across India during Ed Sheeran’s largest ever India tour earlier in 2025, the Sapphire music video captures the vibrant soul of the country. You see Ed riding a scooter alongside Arijit Singh through the narrow, bustling lanes of Azimganj and Jiaganj in Murshidabad, West Bengal.
Other scenes are full of life from the colourful streets of Mumbai, the scenic beaches and creative vibe of Goa, and the lively neighbourhoods of Hyderabad. The video offers a genuine glimpse into everyday India filled with energy, warmth, and cultural richness.
Ed is right in the heart of this chaos playing cricket and football with local kids, riding rickshaws, sharing smiles, and soaking in the moment. No filters, no posturing, just pure joy and connection.
Then there is Shah Rukh Khan, that unforgettable blink and you will replay it moment. SRK lip-syncing along to the Sheeran-Arijit chorus makes it more than a cameo. It is history in the making.
The music video was shot during his six-city Mathematics Tour across India with the aim to showcase the country’s beauty and culture.
He also shared how important it was to get Arijit Singh on the record calling it an amazing day of music and family. A full Punjabi version featuring more of Arijit will be released soon.
Reflections on Play: Joy from Darkness
Reflecting on Play, Ed wrote on Instagram that the album was born from a dark period in his life and his goal was to create joy, technicolour, and explore the cultures of the countries he toured.
Directed by Liam Pethick and shot with Nic Minns as director of photography, the video was released on June 5, 2025. Sapphire is the lead single from Ed’s eighth studio album Play due in September 2025.
Ed revealed in a Rolling Stone India interview that he finished recording Sapphire in Goa surrounded by some of India’s best musicians. The music video was shot during his six-city Mathematics Tour across India with the aim to showcase the country’s beauty and culture.
The music video was shot during his six-city Mathematics Tour across India with the aim to showcase the country’s beauty and culture.
Sapphire is a perfect example of a British tune with an Indian soul, a vibrant cultural fusion celebrating music’s power to connect worlds.
Not the First Time India Stole the Spotlight
Well, this isn’t the first time India has been a part of an international music video. India has a way of showing up in global music, not loudly, but meaningfully. Artists from around the world have found something here that they couldn’t find anywhere else.
3 Popular International Songs Shot in India
Coldplay – Hymn for the Weekend
Coldplay, the British rock band known for emotional anthems like Yellow and Paradise, has always embraced global influences. But in Hymn for the Weekend, they stepped right into the heart of India.
The music video is a visual journey through Mumbai’s bustling streets, the historic Fort Vasai, and the vibrant community of Worli Village. It showed temples decorated with marigolds, children flying kites, and Holi colours bursting in slow motion.
Beyoncé also appears, wearing Indian-inspired clothes, with stained glass and incense smoke around her. While she brought star power, the true charm came from the vibrant streets, colors, and culture. India was more than just a setting; it was part of the music’s rhythm, feeling, and story.
India wasn’t just a backdrop. It became part of the rhythm, the emotion, the storytelling.
With over 2.1 billion views on YouTube, Hymn for the Weekend remains one of Coldplay’s most visually striking and widely loved songs
Major Lazer & DJ Snake – Lean On
Major Lazer, an American electronic music group, joined hands with French DJ Snake to create Lean On, one of the biggest global hits of 2015. The song topped charts around the world and quickly became a favourite on dance floors everywhere.
What many people don’t realise is that the video was filmed in India, mainly across locations in Maharashtra. Grand palaces and ancient temples became the stunning backdrop, adding a royal and cultural flavour to the music.
The choreography brings together Bollywood-inspired moves and international dance styles. Dancers in colourful sarees match every beat with energy and elegance.
It is a beautiful blend of heritage and modern music. India’s presence in the video is not just in the background; it becomes the soul of the visual story.
The video has now crossed 3.7 billion views on YouTube, placing it among the most-watched music videos of all time.
Iggy Azalea – Bounce
Iggy Azalea, an Australian rapper known for her bold style and catchy songs, released Bounce in 2013. The music video was filmed entirely in India and is filled with colour, rhythm, and cultural flair.
From bustling streets to grand palaces and historic forts, the visuals are full of energy. Dancers in bright saris perform Bollywood-style choreography that blends perfectly with the upbeat hip-hop vibe.
Bounce brings together modern beats and traditional Indian elements, creating a vibrant and unique fusion. It shows how India’s culture not only fits into global music but also adds a special kind of magic.
The Youtube video has over 120 million views.
Summing Up
India has always been more than just a location for international artists. It is a source of inspiration, a storyteller, and sometimes the very heart of the music itself. From Ed Sheeran’s Sapphire blending English and Punjabi melodies to Coldplay’s colourful Hymn for the Weekend and the vibrant beats of Major Lazer and Iggy Azalea, India’s presence is felt deeply and authentically.
These videos do more than show India; they live it. The streets, the colours, the dance, the culture all become part of the music’s soul. That is perhaps why these songs connect with millions around the world.
So next time you hear a global hit with an Indian touch, don’t just listen. Watch closely. You might see a little piece of India dancing right there in the music.
