A visit to Shah Rukh Khan's Mumbai home, an introduction to composers Sachin-Jigar and an impromptu recording session later, Ed Sheeran found himself making his Bollywood playback debut. The British singer has revealed how his friendship with SRK eventually led him to record a verse for ‘Tu Mil Jaaye’, the first song from the actor's upcoming film ‘King’.

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Sharing the story on social media on Tuesday, Sheeran recalled that the idea of collaborating with Shah Rukh had been around since their first meeting. The actor had apparently expressed his wish to have the singer feature in one of his films, which would also mark Sheeran's first Bollywood song.

Check out the post here-

“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.

Interestingly, the collaboration came together during the singer's most recent visit to India. Sheeran had gone to Mannat with a rather different request: he wanted Shah Rukh to make a cameo in the music video for ‘Sapphire’, his collaboration with Arijit Singh.

That meeting eventually took an unexpected musical turn. Shah Rukh introduced Sheeran to composer duo Sachin-Jigar, and the singer ended up writing and recording his portion of ‘Tu Mil Jaaye’ that very night.

“Last time I was in India, I went to his house to get him to shoot a cameo in the Sapphire music video for me and @arijitsingh. 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 revealed.

Sheeran also expressed his excitement about sharing the track with Arijit Singh, who features on the song. Calling it a coming together of some of his favourite people, he added that he was delighted to be part of the project.

Shah Rukh Khan Thanks Ed Sheeran For His ‘King’ Collaboration

Shah Rukh was quick to acknowledge the singer's post, resharing it on his Instagram Story with a warm message. Thanking Sheeran for contributing to the film, the actor gave a special mention to his Hindi portions.

 

“Can't thank you enough my friend for doing the song. Especially the Hindi bits. Love you,” Shah Rukh wrote.

The actor and his family had hosted Sheeran at Mannat in March 2024, during the singer's India visit. Their friendship has since translated into a musical collaboration that brings together Bollywood and international pop.

Ed Sheeran Makes His Bollywood Playback Debut With ‘Tu Mil Jaaye’

Released on Shah Rukh Khan's birthday, ‘Tu Mil Jaaye’ brings together Sheeran's English rap with the vocals of Arijit Singh and Madhubanti Bagchi. Composed by Sachin-Jigar, the track features lyrics by Kumaar, while Sheeran has penned his English section. Piyush-Shazia have choreographed the song.

ALSO READ: Ed Sheeran, Arijit Singh join forces for first song from Shah Rukh Khan's 'King' on his 61st birthday | WATCH 

The music video also offers a glimpse into the world of ‘King’, featuring Shah Rukh alongside Deepika Padukone. Moving between romantic moments, action sequences and dramatic confrontations, the visuals hint at the different shades of the actor's character. Shah Rukh is also seen lip-syncing to Sheeran's rap.

Directed by Siddharth Anand, ‘King’ features an ensemble cast that includes Suhana Khan, Abhishek Bachchan, Rani Mukerji and Arshad Warsi, among others. The film is scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release on December 24.