Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan is expanding his involvement in the entertainment industry with a major music and cultural festival planned for Abu Dhabi in 2027. Titled UNIFYD, the one-day event is scheduled for 20 March at Etihad Live on Yas Island in the United Arab Emirates.
The festival will feature more than 15 artists from different generations and genres of Indian music. Arijit Singh, Sonu Nigam and Karan Aujla are among the headline performers, bringing together Bollywood melodies, established Indian music and contemporary Punjabi hits.
Shah Rukh Khan is overseeing the festival’s creative vision. The event aims to celebrate the diversity of Indian music and bring artists from different musical backgrounds together on a single platform.
Arijit Singh, Sonu Nigam and Karan Aujla to Headline
The presence of three prominent singers is expected to be one of the festival’s main attractions.
Arijit Singh, known for his romantic melodies and numerous hit film songs, has become one of India’s leading playback singers. Sonu Nigam, whose career spans several decades, is widely recognised for his versatile voice and contribution to Indian music.
Karan Aujla, meanwhile, represents the contemporary Punjabi music scene and has built a strong following, particularly among younger audiences.
Their participation will offer festivalgoers an opportunity to enjoy a variety of musical styles, ranging from popular Bollywood songs to classic melodies and modern Punjabi tracks.
Organisers say more than 15 artists will perform across multiple stages during the event. They also claim that the festival will mark the first time Sonu Nigam has performed at a music festival during his career.
Shah Rukh Khan’s Creative Vision
In a statement, Shah Rukh Khan reflected on the ability of storytelling and music to bring people together.
Drawing on his experience in cinema, the actor said he had witnessed how stories could connect people from different backgrounds. Music, he added, possessed a similar ability to unite audiences.
According to Shah Rukh, UNIFYD will bring together some of the most notable names in Indian music. He expressed hope that the festival would deliver a distinctive experience through its scale, energy and spectacle.
The event is being jointly organised by D’YAVOL Live and District, with support from the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, Miral and Emirates NBD.
D’YAVOL Live is part of the D’YAVOL Luxury Collective, which was co-founded by Shah Rukh Khan, his son Aryan Khan, Leti Blagoeva and Bunty Singh.
Ticket Sales to Begin on 19 October
Organisers have announced an advance booking window for Emirates NBD cardholders. The pre-sale will begin at 9.30 am local time in the UAE on 19 October and continue until 9.30 am on 20 October.
General ticket sales will open at 10.30 am on 20 October. Tickets will be available exclusively through the District app, although prices have yet to be announced.
The organisers are also looking beyond the festival’s debut in Abu Dhabi. They plan to explore opportunities to bring UNIFYD to other cities and international markets in the future.
Their broader ambition is to build on the growing global popularity of Indian music and establish the festival as an international cultural event.
With a diverse line-up, multiple stages and Shah Rukh Khan’s creative involvement, UNIFYD is being positioned as a major celebration of Indian music. The inaugural edition in Abu Dhabi is expected to bring together established performers and contemporary stars, offering audiences a programme designed to appeal to different generations of music lovers.
