Shah Rukh Khan’s UNIFYD festival brings Arijit Singh, Sonu Nigam & Karan Aujla to Abu Dhabi

Mumbai, 27^th October 2026: Indian music is preparing for a major international showcase as Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan brings UNIFYD, a new music and cultural festival, to Abu Dhabi on March 20, 2027. Scheduled to take place at Etihad Live on Yas Island, the one-day event will bring together more than 15 artists across multiple stages, combining established voices from Indian cinema with Punjabi music, independent performers and electronic acts. With Arijit Singh, Sonu Nigam and Karan Aujla among its leading names, UNIFYD aims to create a shared platform for different generations and sounds within Indian music, while reaching audiences across the UAE, India and the wider South Asian diaspora.

Khan will serve as the festival’s curator, shaping its artistic direction and creative vision. The confirmed line-up brings together artists with distinct musical identities, from Arijit Singh’s contemporary Hindi film hits and Sonu Nigam’s celebrated playback career to Karan Aujla’s internationally popular Punjabi catalogue. Other announced performers include Jonita, Shalmali Kholgade, Patiala Mehfil, Simran Choudhary, Nooriyah, Curtain Blue, Tech Panda x Kenzani, Rusha & Blizza, Stick No Bills, BOH!B, Priyanka and Unnayanaa. The mix signals an effort to move beyond a conventional Bollywood concert format, placing mainstream playback music alongside independent, electronic and alternative sounds. For Sonu Nigam, the performance is also being promoted as a special appearance marking his first music festival performance, according to the organisers.

Produced by D’YAVOL Live and District, the festival is being organised in collaboration with the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi and Miral, with Emirates NBD as an associate partner. The initiative reflects the increasing international reach of Indian music, whose audiences now extend well beyond domestic film releases and regional music markets. By bringing Hindi film music, Punjabi hits and independent sounds into a single event, UNIFYD seeks to present Indian music as a diverse cultural force with the potential to connect audiences across borders. Its launch in Abu Dhabi also highlights the emirate’s growing role in hosting large-scale international entertainment experiences and attracting artists and fans from different parts of the world.

Ticket sales are being handled exclusively through the District app, with general admission prices listed from AED 295 onwards. The festival is scheduled to run at Etihad Live on Yas Island on March 20, 2027, with performances planned across multiple stages. Organisers have also indicated ambitions to expand UNIFYD into additional cities and international markets in the future. For the music industry, the festival raises an important question about the next phase of Indian music’s global growth: can a shared live platform bring together established stars, emerging talent and diverse genres while building a lasting international audience? If its inaugural edition delivers on that ambition, UNIFYD could become a significant addition to the global live music calendar.