Ed Sheeran went to Shah Rukh Khan’s Mannat for Sapphire Cameo, Ended up recording King song Tu Mil Jaaye that night

Ed Sheeran’s Bollywood debut began with a favour. The British pop star has revealed that a visit to Shah Rukh Khan’s home to request a cameo ended with him writing and recording his verse for King.

Sheeran shared the story in an Instagram post after the song’s release. He said that on his last India trip he went to Khan’s house to ask him to appear in the music video for “Sapphire”, his song with Arijit Singh. Khan introduced him to composer Sachin-Jigar that day, and Sheeran wrote and recorded his verse for “Tu Mil Jaaye” that night.

“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. Last time I was 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, said Sheeran on Instagram.

“Sapphire” was released on June 5, 2025, with Khan in a cameo. Sheeran had earlier said in a behind-the-scenes video that he went to Khan’s house to play padel. After the cameo request, he ended up at dinner there.

“Tu Mil Jaaye” is the first song from King. It was unveiled on Monday, Khan’s 61st birthday. Arijit Singh sings it alongside Madhubanti Bagchi, and Sheeran wrote and performs an English rap. Sachin-Jigar composed it, Kumaar wrote the lyrics and Piyush-Shazia choreographed it. The song features the sizzling chemistry between the SRK and Deepika Padukone.

Sheeran said he loves that Arijit is on the track with him, calling it a project with all his favourite people.

Directed by Siddharth Anand and produced by Red Chillies Entertainment and Marflix Pictures, King releases in cinemas worldwide on December 24, 2026. The video is on the Zee Music Company and T-Series YouTube channels.

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