Highlights:
Ed Sheeran's entry into Bollywood did not begin with a formal music deal, a long studio schedule or a carefully planned international collaboration. It began with a personal request from Shah Rukh Khan, and, remarkably, the British singer says he recorded his first Hindi film song on the very night he was introduced to its composers.
Sheeran has revealed how he became part of King, Shah Rukh's upcoming action drama, sharing a behind-the-scenes video of himself recording “Tu Mil Jaaye” with composer Jigar Saraiya of the musical duo Sachin-Jigar. The collaboration also brings him together with singer Arijit Singh, making it a meeting of three major names from the international and Indian music scenes.
The story behind the song is almost as interesting as the collaboration itself. In an Instagram post, Sheeran recalled that when he first met Shah Rukh, the Bollywood superstar made a direct pitch for him to contribute to his next film.
“When i first met Shah Rukh, he said i must make a song to be in his next movie and also be my first Bollywood song. We’ve got to know each other over the years and i love him,” Sheeran wrote.
The request eventually became reality during the singer's most recent visit to India.
From Shah Rukh's cameo to Ed Sheeran's Bollywood debut
The collaboration also has a connection to Sheeran's own music.
During his previous India visit, the singer went to Shah Rukh's home with Arijit Singh to persuade the actor to make a cameo in the music video for “Sapphire,” Sheeran's song featuring Arijit.
That visit turned into an opportunity for Shah Rukh to return the favor. According to Sheeran, the actor introduced him to Sachin-Jigar, and the singer quickly got to work on “Tu Mil Jaaye.”
“He introduced me to @sachinjigar that day and i wrote and recorded my verse for Tu Mil Jaaye for his movie King that night,” he shared.
The speed of the collaboration makes it particularly interesting. What began as a conversation between two friends developed into a Bollywood recording session within hours.
Sheeran also expressed excitement about working with Arijit again, describing the people involved as his favorites on one project.
“I love that Arijit is singing on it with me too, all my favourite people on one project.”
For Sheeran, whose career has largely been built around English-language pop, the song marks a new step into Indian film music. It also adds another international connection to King, a film already generating considerable attention because of its cast and Shah Rukh's return to the big screen.
Shah Rukh Khan thanks Sheeran for the Hindi portions
Shah Rukh reshared Sheeran's behind-the-scenes video and thanked him for contributing to the film, particularly for attempting the Hindi portions of the track.
“Can’t thank u enough my friend for doing the song…especially the Hindi bits. Love u @teddysphotos,” the actor wrote.
The exchange reflects the friendly relationship between the two stars, which has developed through their previous interactions and musical collaborations.
The song “Tu Mil Jaaye” was released on November 2, coinciding with Shah Rukh's birthday. It features vocals by Sheeran, Arijit Singh and Madhubanti Bagchi, with music composed by Sachin-Jigar and lyrics by Kumaar.
The track also brings Shah Rukh and Deepika Padukone together on screen. Their appearance in the music video adds a romantic dimension to the film's promotional campaign.
Shah Rukh Khan's Instagram StoryInstagram/@iamsrk
What to expect from Shah Rukh Khan's King
Directed by Siddharth Anand, King is scheduled to arrive in theaters on December 24, 2026. The film features Deepika Padukone, Suhana Khan, Abhishek Bachchan, Rani Mukerji, Abhay Verma, Arshad Warsi, Jaideep Ahlawat and Raghav Juyal, among others.
The film marks another collaboration between Shah Rukh and Deepika, who have previously appeared together in Om Shanti Om, Chennai Express, Happy New Year, Pathaan and Jawan.
While the film's cast is a major talking point, Sheeran's contribution gives its soundtrack an international dimension. His collaboration with Arijit also builds on their earlier association through “Sapphire.”
For now, “Tu Mil Jaaye” offers an unusual Bollywood debut story: a superstar's personal pitch, a home visit, a meeting with composers and a recording session that happened in a single night. And for Shah Rukh Khan, it appears that asking a friend for a favor has resulted in one of the most talked-about musical collaborations surrounding King.
