Shah Rukh Khan has announced UNIFYD, a new music festival scheduled to take place on 20 March 2027 at Etihad Live on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. The one-day event will feature Arijit Singh, Karan Aujla and Sonu Nigam, alongside more than 12 other artists across multiple stages.
Curated by Khan, the festival is being 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. Tickets will be available exclusively through the District app.
The inaugural edition is designed to bring together audiences from India, the Middle East and the wider South Asian diaspora, with a lineup spanning different generations and styles of Indian music. Sonu Nigam is also set to perform at a music festival for the first time in his career, according to the announcement.
UNIFYD marks Khan’s entry into music festival curation, extending his work in entertainment beyond cinema. The organisers have also indicated plans to take the festival to other cities and markets in the future.
Speaking about the festival, Khan said music has the power to bring people together across cultures and generations. He described UNIFYD as a platform for bringing Indian artists together on a shared stage, with an emphasis on scale and production.
Bunty Singh, co-founder of D’YAVOL Live, said the festival aims to give Indian music a platform that reflects its international reach. Rahul Ganjoo, CEO of District, added that the event is intended to bring different parts of Indian culture together for audiences in the region and beyond.
The choice of Abu Dhabi reflects the festival’s focus on international audiences, particularly the South Asian diaspora in the Middle East. Yas Island, a major entertainment destination, will host the first edition.
Ticket details
Early access for Emirates NBD cardholders begins at 9:30 am GST (11 am IST) on 19 October 2026 and closes at the same time on 20 October. General ticket sales open at 10:30 am GST (12 noon IST) on 20 October, exclusively through the District app.
UNIFYD adds to the growing number of large-scale Indian music events targeting audiences outside India. Its lineup brings together established playback singer Sonu Nigam, Arijit Singh and Punjabi artist Karan Aujla, reflecting the range of Indian music finding audiences across markets.
The festival’s longer-term significance will depend on whether it can establish a recurring platform for Indian artists internationally and expand beyond its inaugural edition in Abu Dhabi.
