Ed Sheeran reveals how Shah Rukh Khan pitched an idea for Sapphire music video: ‘We played for like three hours…'
Ed Sheeran's latest single 'Sapphire' dropped a couple of days ago, with an incredible music video that took the English artiste through the streets and beaches of India. The music video also featured actor Shah Rukh Khan and singer Arijit Singh, which added to the already prevalent Indian touch. In a recent video, Sheeran broke down the entire music video and talked about how his collaborations with Shah Rukh and Arijit came to be and his experience of shooting in India.
Ed Sheeran dropped an behind-the-scenes video for 'Sapphire,' where he plays the entire music video on a projector and tells the story behind each shot. He begins with the shoot in Old Delhi and talks about swerving through spice dealers, traffic and cows while they got the shots they needed. 'All of us were wearing masks because of the strong smell of the spices, and at one point I took mine off and wondered, 'How bad could it be?' Instantaneously I was coughing my lungs out.' Sheeran also poked fun at himself filming on a beach, calling the shot his 'Chris Martin singing Yellow on the beach' impression.
He then talked about shooting on the sets of Baahubali and professed his love for the same. 'That is a good movie; it is so epic,' said Sheeran before asking one of the crew members if he wanted to see the movie with him. From the sets of Baahubali, Sheeran moved to probably the most talked-about moment from his music video, which was the surprising cameo by Shah Rukh Khan. He revealed how the actor came up with the idea himself and is the only person he doesn't need to give context for because everyone knows him.
Also Read | Ed Sheeran 'loves' Shah Rukh Khan and drinking coffee with Arijit Singh: 'These guys were some of the best…'
Ed Sheeran said, 'He invited me round to his house to play paddle (presumably table tennis), and we played for like three hours, and then he pitched me an idea. I told him that I was there in Mumbai the next day as well, and we could have dinner together and then shoot the scene. So I recorded the Hindi lines for the song, which took some time. I came back, had dinner with him, and we shot his cameo.' Sheeran can be seen hugging Shah Rukh right after the shot. The singer then moved on to his adventures in Kolkata, where he met up with singer Arijit Singh in his hometown.
In the video, Arijit and Sheeran can be seen riding around on a scooter as Sheeran exclaims, 'This is new,' to which Arijit replies, 'This is madness.' As the video continues, there is a clip of Arijit telling Sheeran that they have arranged a boat ride for him so that he can check out the river. Sheeran shared that he had his dad with him as well, and sailing through the river is 'one of the most memorable' memories he has with his dad. He also appreciated all the Indian musicians who played on the record and called them all 'phenomenal'. Other than that, he shared some pictures of himself playing football with kids in Shillong.
'Sapphire' is part of Ed Sheeran's upcoming album Play, which will be his eighth studio album. It is due for release on September 12.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
19 minutes ago
- Time of India
Is Bollywood ready for the 8-hour shift? Anand Pandit, Rahul Dholakia, Kumar Sanu and others weigh in on the battle between burnout and brilliance
In an industry that has long prided itself on its unpredictability, relentless pace, and obsession with "the perfect shot," the very idea of a structured 8-hour shooting shift once seemed laughable. Bollywood shoots are notorious for their sprawling hours, delayed schedules, and spontaneous bursts of genius that strike at 3 a.m. rather than 3 p.m. But that norm is now being questioned. The flashpoint came when Deepika Padukone walked out of Prabhas starrer Spirit, a film by Kabir Singh and Animal director Sandeep Reddy Vanga , due to concerns over exhaustive shooting schedules. With motherhood now an integral part of her life, the decision wasn't just personal—it was symbolic of a generational shift. This ETimes feature dives into the heart of that question — asking not just whether 8-hour shifts are feasible, but whether they're necessary for the health and future of Indian cinema. From 'grind culture' to 'planned creativity' The old-school pride in overwork — actors boasting about hopping between three sets a day, crew members sleeping in vans, and night shifts that last until sunrise — is increasingly being seen not as dedication, but as dysfunction. Producer Anand Pandit believes it's high time Bollywood sheds its old skin. 'We are way past the era when stars used to work in multiple shifts and suffer burnout,' he says. 'It is healthy to work smarter than longer. Akshay Kumar , for instance, is known to work in well-managed, crisp shifts and this is a practice that is catching on.' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 2025 Top Trending local enterprise accounting software [Click Here] Esseps Learn More Undo Pandit also points out that today's actors—particularly younger ones—are far more vocal about boundaries, self-care, and mental health than their predecessors. 'Each actor will answer differently. There is no single rulebook, and that's a good thing. The fact that we're even having this conversation is progress,' he adds. Money, momentum, and the myth of more hours One of the central arguments against shorter shifts is economic. More days on set mean more rental costs, crew expenses, and time-sensitive logistics. 'Yes, fewer hours typically mean more shoot days, which can increase budgets,' Pandit admits. 'However, with tighter scheduling, good pre-production, and minimal wastage, the rise in costs can be absorbed—or even offset.' Kumar Sanu , who has experienced decades of Indian film and music production, agrees that filmmaking is time-intensive. 'It takes a lot of time just to set up cameras or tweak the lighting. But actors and directors should be looking out for each other. Deepika being a new mom—her concerns are valid. Sandeep Reddy Vanga's creative process is valid too. Both are right in their own ways.' He adds, "Budget and time allotted can put pressure on the creative team, but we also have to see that there have been really good and enjoyable movies and really bad movies made in the same time as each other. Creativity is in the mind of the filmmaking crew. Putting a number to it doesn't make any sense. It is dependent on the creative team and how much time they need. If we make a certain number an industry standard, it might affect some and it might not affect others. Slandering or bashing actors or directors is not the way to handle this debate." Creativity, Sanu points out, doesn't obey the clock. 'Some amazing films were made in short spans, and some flops took forever. I recorded Kuch Na Kaho in 9 minutes—it was a rehearsal—but it became a superhit. Time is not the deciding factor—mindset and preparedness are.' 'The actors are pampered — it's the crew we forget' Director Rahul Dholakia introduces a critical layer to the discussion—the unseen, unheard crew. 'The light men, spot boys, production staff—they're the first to arrive and the last to leave,' he stresses. 'Their call times are at least an hour before others, and sometimes two hours earlier than lead actors. If we shorten shifts without recalibrating for them, they're the ones who suffer most.' Dholakia recommends a 10-hour shift model—with 8 hours of shooting and a 2-hour buffer. 'Lunch breaks in India aren't quick. People need their nashta, their chai. That eats into time. So production has to compensate for that if we're serious about shorter shifts.' He also advocates for proper turnaround time. 'If you wrap late, you need at least 10 hours before the next day's call time. Unfortunately, only top-tier talent gets that luxury right now.' Efficiency models from the South and beyond Multiple voices praise South Indian industries for their discipline and professionalism. 'I have worked in virtually every regional industry and everybody has a different working style. I believe the South-Indian industries are less wasteful with time and resources. Everyone works with a certain discipline and everybody's time is respected. I cannot speak for Hollywood, but from what I have gathered, it is also a very well-structured industry,' says Pandit. Singer Kumar Sanu points to punctuality and preparedness as the real production model to emulate. 'Amitabh Bachchan was known for always being on time and coming prepared. That's what made shoots efficient—not just the hours worked.' Deepika Exits 'Spirit'; Bollywood Backs 8-Hour Rule Commenting on work-life balance, Sanu said, "Work and life balance is really important. With Actresses especially when they become mothers, we need to be understanding and give them their comfort on humanity ground. There are many complications after becoming a mother and every woman faces different things. Movies were being made in the 50s and 60s when there was lack of convenience, but they worked around it. In today's time, we have so much convenience, people should be more understanding now. " Mental health and the myth of the tireless artist Actor and writer Karan Razdan , who is currently working on Rajni 2.0, offers a lived experience of creative burnout. 'Creativity actually and truly lasts for a maximum of 8 hours. This is true not only on the set as an actor or director but it applies to all the other technicians also. Infact having been a writer, actor and director let me tell you that even the writer's true creative time is restricted to just a few hours. Now that I have started again in Rajni 2.0 (the sequel of my hit show Rajni) i feel extremely burnt out after 8-9 hours as an actor. And of course have always felt it as a director too." Having straddled multiple roles in the industry, Razdan believes that shorter shifts could actually enhance artistic output. 'If those 8 hours are dedicated and focused, the results can be marvellous. Budget-wise too, it won't impact things too much.' For director Mozez Singh , it boils down to balance—between life and work, heart and hustle. 'It's really important to have a work-life balance because it is life itself that feeds the work. And proper rest is the biggest fuel for productivity.' He adds, 'Actors have responsibilities outside the set—young children, ageing parents, emotional health. These aren't afterthoughts. They must be part of our scheduling discussions.' The fear of the unknown Still, not everyone is ready to jump in. While many acknowledge the benefits, there's fear that rigid shifts could stifle spontaneity or drive up costs. Sanu believes that an 8-hour shift would negatively impact the industry economically for those who work on hourly basis or shift basis, unless someone has one of contract then it's positive for them. Pandit echoes the sentiment: 'Flexibility is key. For climax scenes or complex setups, longer days are needed—and that should be okay if planned in advance.' A hybrid path forward? Nearly all stakeholders seem to agree on one solution: hybrid models. A mix of shorter and longer days, depending on the scene, budget, and cast requirements. 'Yes, I could see that work,' Mozez Singh says. 'Give more hours to high-stakes scenes, but otherwise keep to 8-hour norms. That's the only way to be fair to both the art and the artist.' On the human side of the debate, Rahul Dholakia shares a telling anecdote: 'On one film, my actor requested that he work 10 hours on set and wrap by 7 or 8 pm so he could be in time to see his kids before they slept. That's fair — we have to honor that.' But to make this all possible, the Raees director says, the industry must invest more time before the camera starts rolling: 'A lot of how we shoot is organized — but a lot can be fixed. How efficiently we do that depends only on one thing: planning.' Kumar Sanu offers a final note of pragmatism: 'If we rotate shifts well, it might even create more job opportunities. But it must be implemented thoughtfully—without hurting the daily workers.' A time for reflection The 8-hour shift debate isn't about hours alone. It's about respect—respect for time, health, family, and artistic integrity. The conversation sparked by Deepika Padukone's departure from Spirit is not a rebellion; it's a request for reform. As Anand Pandit aptly puts it: 'When we work smarter, we don't have to work longer.' In the end, Bollywood may not be ready for a time clock, but it is definitely ready for a reset.
India Gazette
2 hours ago
- India Gazette
US Supreme Court declines to hear copyright claim that alleged Ed Sheeran copied Marvin Gaye track
Los Angeles [US], June 17 (ANI): Ed Sheeran has scored a major legal win as the Supreme Court rejected a copyright lawsuit alleging that the British hitmaker's 2014 hit song 'Thinking Out Loud' copied music chords from Marvin Gaye's classic 'Let's Get It On'. On Sunday, the Supreme Court decided not to hear the case brought by Structured Asset Sales (SAS), which owns a portion of the rights to Gaye's song. The decision keeps in place the lower court decision that Sheeran was not liable in the copyright infringement lawsuit, as per Fox News. SAS, which is owned by investment banker David Pullman, had argued that Sheeran used the copyrighted melody, harmony and rhythm of Gaye's 'Let's Get It On.' The case was dismissed in 2023 after U.S. District Judge Louis Stanton decided that the musical elements Sheeran was accused of copying were too common. The dismissal followed Sheeran's victory in a separate copyright lawsuit over the song that was brought by the family of singer-songwriter Ed Townsend, who co-wrote Gaye's song 'It's devastating to be accused of stealing someone else's song when we've put so much work into our livelihoods,' Sheeran said outside the courthouse following that verdict SAS appealed Stanton's decision, though the New York-based 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the judge's decision last year. Meanwhile, Ed is basking in the success of his latest song 'Sapphire' that he made in collaboration with Arijit Singh. Sharing what went behind the track, Ed in an Instagram post wrote, 'Sapphire was the first song I finished for Play that made me know where the album was heading. It's why I finished the recording process in Goa surrounded by some of the best musicians in India. It was an incredible creative process. I shot the music video with @liampethickphoto and @nicminns across my India tour earlier this year, we wanted to showcase the beauty and breadth of the country and its culture.' He added, 'The final jigsaw piece for me was getting @arijitsingh on the record, I'll make a post about that in a few days but it was a journey to get there and such an amazing day of music and family. Me and him have done a full Punjabi version of the song that will come out in the next few weeks, which has a lot more of him on it. This is the album version of the song, and my favourite song on the album. Hope you guys love it. Sapphire out now x.' (ANI)
Time of India
4 hours ago
- Time of India
Laughter Chefs 2: Isha Malviya reunites with exes Abhishek Kumar-Samarth Jurel; Divyanka, Eisha, Devoleena and Shraddha Arya to grace the grand finale
Laughter Chefs brings a fresh mix of humour and cooking to the screen, offering viewers a unique blend of entertainment and delicious fun. The makers of the show have planned a star-sudded grand finale. However, what's really grabbing everyone's attention is the unexpected reunion of former couples on the show. Yes, you read it right! Laughter Chefs which launched earlier this year is coming to an end in July and the makers are leaving no stone unturned to make the finale a grand one. For the finale episodes, the makers have invited the bahus of Indian television, Devoleena Bhattacharjee, Divyanka Tripathi , Shraddha Arya, Eisha Singh and Isha Malviya. For the uninitiated, Isha has dated both Abhishek Kumar and Samarth Jurel and this is the first time that the actress will be reuniting with them onscreen after Bigg Boss 17. All the celebrities shot for the episode today at a studio in Mumbai. The TV bahus were seen dressed in stunning traditional and ethnic outfits. They looked their stylish best as they arrived to shoot for the episode. The photos of the leading ladies shooting for the episode is already out. Not just the finale, the upcoming episodes of Laughter Chefs also promises to provide full on entertainment to the audience. The channel's official Instagram handle recently dropped a fresh promo, revealing that popular TV actress Tejasswi Prakash will be teaming up with her boyfriend Karan Kundrra in the upcoming episodes. The promo is packed with hilarious chaos as Tejasswi attempts to bake a cake. She's seen asking everyone—from Karan to celebrity chef Harpal Singh Sokhi—how to make it. Her confused yet adorable efforts lead to a laughter-filled atmosphere on the show. In addition to Tejasswi Prakash's appearance, one of the original cast members, Jannat Zubair, is also set to return to the show. She will be seen partnering with Rubina Dilaik in an upcoming episode, temporarily stepping in for Rahul Vaidya. Jannat Zubair's return promo is already airing, where she makes a grand entrance grooving to the song "Neeli Neeli Aankhein Meri..." The cast greets her with cheers and applause, making her comeback all the more exciting. Bharti And Rahul Spotted on Laughter Chefs 2 Set
