Shah Rukh Khan announces Abu Dhabi music festival UNIFYD with Arijit Singh, Karan Aujla and Sonu Nigam

Festival announcement and curated lineup

Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan announced UNIFYD, a one-day music festival scheduled for March 20, 2027, at Etihad Live on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, with Arijit Singh, Karan Aujla and Sonu Nigam confirmed as the first headlining performers. Organisers said the event, curated by Khan, will feature more than 15 artists across multiple stages and is designed to bring together different genres of Indian music for audiences in the UAE and beyond. Speaking about the announcement, Khan said, "I've spent a lifetime telling stories on screen and watching them bring people together. Music has that same extraordinary power," and described UNIFYD as a platform to unite India's most incredible artists on a shared stage for the first time.

Headliners and first-time festival appearance

Arijit Singh, a two-time National Film Award winner known for tracks including Tum Hi Ho, Channa Mereya and Apna Bana Le, was named among the first performers. Punjabi singer and rapper Karan Aujla, recognized for songs such as Tauba Tauba, Softly and Winning Speech, is also confirmed. Veteran playback singer Sonu Nigam will take the stage at what the organizers describe as the first music festival performance of his career. The lineup is reported to span multiple generations and styles of Indian music.

Producers, partners and international scope

UNIFYD is produced by D'YAVOL Live and District, in collaboration with the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi and Miral, and in association with Emirates NBD. Organisers have also revealed plans to expand the festival to other cities and international markets beyond the inaugural Abu Dhabi edition, with the announcement framed around audiences drawn from India, the Middle East and the wider South Asian diaspora. Music Plus, reporting on the announcement, framed UNIFYD as adding to a growing number of large-scale Indian music events targeting audiences outside India.

Ticket sales and next milestone

Tickets for UNIFYD will be sold exclusively through the District app. Emirates NBD cardholders will receive early access beginning at 9:30 a.m. UAE time on October 19, 2026, running until 9:30 a.m. on October 20. General ticket sales are scheduled to open at 10:30 a.m. UAE time on October 20. Further announcements about the lineup and festival details are expected in the coming days.