'This is the joy the world needs right now': Ed Sheeran wins hearts with India-inspired single
Ed Sheeran's latest single
Sapphire
has struck a deep emotional chord with listeners — especially in India, where fans are celebrating the way he's honoured the country's culture, sights, and soundscapes.
Tired of too many ads? go ad free now
Shot across his India tour earlier this year, the music video unfolds like a vibrant travel diary — from rickshaw rides to roadside chai, dhol beats to dance breaks — with a surprise cameo by Shah Rukh Khan that left the internet buzzing.
But what's made this release truly special for Indian fans is Sheeran's openness about the creative process. 'I finished the recording process in Goa surrounded by some of the best musicians in India.
It was an incredible creative process,' he wrote on Instagram.
He also revealed the album's most emotional collaboration: a duet with Arijit Singh. 'The final jigsaw piece for me was getting Arijit on the record... We've done a full Punjabi version that's coming soon,' Sheeran shared, adding that
Sapphire
is his personal favourite from the album
Play
.
The response has been nothing short of euphoric.
'This is the joy the world needs right now,' one fan wrote, while another said, 'This has to be the best way a Western artist has acknowledged Indian culture."
A third simply summed it up: 'You know when a song just makes you happy – this is it.'
For Indian fans, the appreciation is deeply personal. 'Thank you for opening up the world to us,' read one comment. Another user added, 'I knew the MV would be amazing, but I saw much more than I expected. So happy you explored India, and there's always space for more.'
From surprise cameos to seamless cultural fusion,
Sapphire
feels less like a music video and more like a love letter — not just to India, but to the idea of finding beauty through collaboration. With the Punjabi version set to drop soon, fans are already calling it their song of the summer.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
India Today
12 minutes ago
- India Today
R.S. Prasanna on making ‘Sitaare Zameen Par'
(NOTE: This article was originally published in the India Today issue dated June 23, 2025)When the whole world was in lockdown, my world was opening up,' says filmmaker R.S. Prasanna. The year was 2020 and Prasanna, then living in Chennai, had managed to land a meeting, albeit virtual, with Aamir Khan. Best known for directing the comedy Shubh Mangal Saavdhan, a remake of his sleeper Tamil hit, it was a dream Prasanna says he didn't dare dream. Convincing the pernickety Khan about a script is no easy feat, but Prasanna and writer Divya Nidhi Sharma managed to grab his attention with a funny tale about a man who comes of age as he trains a basketball team of neurodivergent individuals. Five years later, that pitch has manifested as Sitaare Zameen Par, which Khan has also in the Aamir Khan Productions office in Santa Cruz, Mumbai, Prasanna expresses sentiments which Khan would concur with. He talks of his 'responsibility as a storyteller', which entails reaching out to the audience with stories that come from 'the heart'. He speaks of having no 'insecurity' despite being absent from the filmmaking scene for almost seven years. And he emphasises the need to have 'conviction'.But that very conviction wavered a bit as he came into the orbit of the mercurial Aamir Khan, one of the last superstars of Indian cinema. Says Prasanna, 'I was full of anxiety, I had imposter syndrome, I couldn't believe I was directing him. I was like, 'Of course, he is going to call you out.'' An eight-hour-long conversation, which started over South Indian breakfast, allayed those fears and brought an immediate sense of comfort. 'Aamir sir is quite open and one who only sees talent and passion for cinema and no other identity marker,' says Prasanna. 'I usually call him the Atlantis, [for] he is like the refugee camp of passionate filmmakers. He is very protective about the director and empowers them.'advertisement Passion alone doesn't drive Prasanna. He'd prefer the word 'obsession'. 'I'm told you are too involved. You have to give it everything. There's no ego and hierarchy, you take inputs from everyone.' It's perhaps why he sees himself as a misfit and has made a comedy about working with other individuals whom society perceives as misfits. CHANGING PERCEPTIONS Aamir Khan with his team of 'misfits' in Sitaare Zameen Par, which releases on June 20 Central to Sitaare Zameen Par was a cast of individuals diagnosed with autism and Down's Syndrome. Over 2,500 auditions were conducted, with casting directors Tess Joseph and Anmol Ahuja taking charge. Finally, 10 were finalised and put through workshops. 'They are my stars,' says Prasanna. 'They have josh, a positive spirit and a keeda to perform. You just have to give them the tools on how to face the camera and learn the lines.' Their presence, adds Prasanna, made the set a happier place. A paediatrician who champions for inclusion and works with neurodivergent people was present during the shoot to like other films in Khan's rich filmography, this one comes packaged with a social message. 'Today, we live in a world where we don't connect with anybody, forget neurodivergent people,' says Prasanna. With the film, he hopes that audiences remember the child within themselves. 'You are born with purity and being non-judgemental. It's only later we learn to discriminate.'Sitaare Zameen Par arrives at a time when the yardstick of what works at the box office has undergone a seismic shift. Loud spectacles with hypermasculine heroes are favoured over slice-of-life soft outings. Khan's last film, Laal Singh Chaddha, a remake of the Hollywood hit Forrest Gump, crashed at the box office. Sitaare Zameen Par, which has been pegged as a 'spiritual sequel' to Khan's own directorial debut, Taare Zameen Par, is inspired by a Spanish film, Campeones (2018). Prasanna isn't too worried that the film may seem an anomaly in the current landscape. 'Everyone wants a palate-cleanser. A film works if it entertains and has a strong emotional connect with people,' he says. 'Everything changes with one thing. It's Aamir Khan who usually starts the trend.'Subscribe to India Today Magazineadvertisement
Time of India
17 minutes ago
- Time of India
10 classic traditional art forms to brighten your walls, and shelves
Inviting Indian artwork into your home adds stories, history, and a splash of color to your day-to-day life. Most Indian folk painters have learned their skill from family and neighbors, not art schools, so each piece carries the weight of community memory. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Their work springs straight from daily ritual, festival, and custom, turning humble moments into lasting images. Because the styles vary so widely, a single mural or scroll can shift a plain room into something lively, while remaining able to sit quietly beside minimalist furniture. Indian handwork, by its very nature, carries small variations that remind us a real person made the piece, and that slight imperfection is often the most welcoming detail in a modern space. Bhil painting , Madhubani painting , and more, art forms you can use in your home decor: The short list that follows gives you fresh ways to add cultural flavor and personal spirit throughout your rooms. Aipan Art (Uttarakhand) : This age-old craft, rooted in Hindu, Jain, and Buddhist lore, features patterns pulled straight from hills, rivers, and communal beliefs. You will find those white, rice-flour motifs framing Puja corners or welcoming guests at the front door. It holds deep cultural and religious significance, adorning floors and walls of Puja rooms and home entrances. Assamese Miniature Painting (Assam) : Known for delicate scenes painted on tiny blocks of ivory, wood, or thick paper, this style captures entire stories inside a palm-sized border. The Indian art stream splits into four clear styles-Sattriya, Gadgya, Darrangi, and Tai. Bhil painting (Madhya Pradesh) : Bright, tiny dots like corn kernels cover plain space, telling prayers and village tales. It is characterized by vibrant, multihued dots on plain backgrounds, symbolizing stories, prayers, and traditions. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Bhojpuri painting (Uttar Pradesh) : Legend says its roots run deeper than King Ashoka, weaving wisdom from ancient Magadha. With roots tied to ancient Indian culture, this art form flourished in the Magadha region, a hub of learning and Buddhist scholarship. Cheriyal scroll painting (Telangana) : Colourful scenes drape from Khadi cloth, often lifting moments from the Ramayana or features vibrant, hand-painted narratives and showcases Indian mythology and traditions Chittara art (Karnataka) : Sharp, repeating lines mark weddings and rituals, mirroring the village's ties to land and sky. These drawings embody the community's socio-cultural dynamics and connection to nature. Chitrakathi painting (Maharashtra) : It combines storytelling and visual aids, where artists narrate mythological tales like Ramyana and Mahabharata through paintings. Warli painting : These paintings, traditionally created on walls, often feature scenes of dancing, hunting, farming, and ceremonies, using natural pigments like rice paste and mud. Kolam floor art (Tamil Nadu) : It features intricate geometrical line drawings made with rice flour or powder on clean floors. The designs created symbolizes prosperity and welcome deities and creatures into home. Kolams blend craft, faith, and a lasting bond with the rhythms of nature. Madhubani Art : It is known for its vibrant colors, intricate geometric patterns, and depictions of mythological figures, natural elements, and social scenes. Also read|
Indian Express
17 minutes ago
- Indian Express
WWE RAW: Goldberg returns to challenge Gunther for the Heavyweight Championship, Cody Rhodes saves Jey Uso from Seth Rollins
WWE RAW: WWE has a huge cache of stars to choose from, including current superstars, retired legends, and some who have just taken time off from in-ring performances. The thing that makes professional wrestling so attractive and entertaining is the element of surprise, the fact that anyone could walk out to the middle of the ring and demand their due. That is exactly what happened in yesterday's episode of Monday Night Raw, as WWE Hall of Famer Goldberg made a return to challenge the current heavyweight champion Gunther for his title. As Gunther walked out to address the WWE universe, he told fans and the entire roster of superstars that he is well aware of the fact that he is a target. He told the audience that he isn't going anywhere, and if anyone wants to challenge him, they shouldn't waste any more time. Before he could even finish that sentence, though, Goldberg's music played as the entire Resch Centre of Green Bay erupted in delight and shock. The ring general, Gunther, stood in the ring perplexed by what was happening and couldn't believe that the person who would decide to act on his open challenge would be one of the most dominating figures in wrestling history. ALSO READ: WWE stars Liv Morgan, Dominik Mysterio try Indian food; Dominik gets carried away while eating butter chicken The excitement of the crowd only grew as Goldberg made his way onto the ring, and the entire WWE universe cheered his name in unison. Goldberg congratulated Gunther on beating Jey Uso for the heavyweight belt, a title he lost to him at Wrestlemania 41. He told Gunther, 'I just wanted to tell you how proud I am of you.' A statement that got Gunther smiling like a little kid. However, as the speech went on, the smile from Gunther's face slowly faded away. Goldberg reminded Gunther of a little altercation they had in Atlanta, Georgia. Goldberg made it clear that he was going to finish what Gunther started on July 12, when Saturday Night's Main Event goes to Atlanta, Georgia. It has been confirmed that the match will be for the heavyweight championship. The rest of the show also had several highlights, as women's champion Iyo Sky attacked Liv Morgan and her boyfriend Dominik Mysterio. Rhea Ripley intervened in the Queen of the Ring tournament, as she helped Asuka get the win over Raquel Rodriguez. AJ Styles beat JD McDonagh and stole Mysterio's Intercontinental Championship. Jey managed to beat Bronson Reed and advance to the semi-finals of the King of the Ring tournament after several superstars tried to intervene in the match in order to push their own agenda. After the match, a furious Seth Rollins, whose teammate Jey had just beaten, walked out to the ring looking to hurt an already injured Jey. Before he could extract his revenge, though, Cody Rhodes came to Jey's rescue. Seth had a look at his cards and decided to fold and exit along with the rest of his team. Seth currently holds the Money In The Bank contract, which he can cash in at any point in time for a chance at any title of his choosing. The Night Of Champions will take place on June 28 in Riyadh, Abu Dhabi. The most talked-about match-up of the event will be John Cena and CM Punk facing each other for the WWE undisputed championship. The two have had some legendary matches in the past but never with the roles reversed (John as a heel and Punk as a face).
