Is Ed Sheeran the First Western Pop Star to Get India Right?
Critics have accused Coldplay, Selena, and others of exoticizing the country. Here’s why “Sapphire” might be different.
When Ed Sheeran used to visit India, he followed a familiar script. He’d stop by Mumbai, play a quick show, attend a glitzy Bollywood afterparty, and take selfies with cricketers. Then he’d disappear. This time, things were different.
He played gully soccer in Shillong, rode auto rickshaws, wandered through Hyderabadi bazaars, got a champi, and played table tennis with Shah Rukh Khan for three hours. Then came the twist: a Punjabi single featuring Arijit Singh. ““Sapphire” isn’t just Sheeran’s most daring cross-cultural track — it’s his boldest global pivot yet.
Is it heartfelt cultural appreciation? Or just smark marketing? The Juggernaut spoke to culture critics, Sheeran fans, and some of the Indian musicians behind “Sapphire.” The answer, like the song, is layered.