BOLLYWOOD BEATS
Ed Sheeran has released a cross-cultural remix of his summer hit “Sapphire” featuring Indian singer Arijit Singh. The new version blends English, Hindi and Punjabi-language vocals, with both artists switching between languages throughout the track.
The collaboration stems from Sheeran’s trip to India with his father to work with Singh in his hometown of Jiaganj Azimganj. The British singer-songwriter described the experience as feeling “like a pilgrimage of music,” highlighting their studio work, sitar lessons, and late-night motorcycle rides.
The original “Sapphire” made history as the first English-language song to top Spotify India since 2021. Its music video, featuring cameos from Singh and Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan, has amassed over 130 million YouTube views and 1.5 billion TikTok views.
Both versions feature South Asian percussion and were produced by Ilya Salmanzadeh, Johnny McDaid, and Savan Kotecha. Sheeran’s upcoming album “Play” is set for a Sept. 12 release.
COMIC CAPERS
Getty Images/Dark Horse Comics
Harvey Award-winning author Matt Kindt will write a new three-issue comic series expanding John le Carré‘s spy universe for Dark Horse Comics. “John le Carré: The Circus – Losing Control,” illustrated by Eisner Award-nominated artist Ibrahim Moustafa, is set in the modern day and follows the world established in “The Spy Who Came in from the Cold” and “Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy.”
The series centers on Maggie, an assistant within Britain’s intelligence agency The Circus, who discovers that Control – the agency’s all-powerful leader – has mysteriously vanished. With a mole’s identity blown in Moscow, Maggie must navigate dangerous secrets while keeping Control’s disappearance hidden.
Le Carré’s novels have been adapted numerous times for film and television, including BBC series “The Night Manager” and “The Little Drummer Girl,” alongside classic films starring Alec Guinness and Gary Oldman.
“Getting asked to contribute a piece to John le Carré’s world of Smiley has been one of the greatest honors and responsibilities of my life,” Kindt said. The first issue launches Nov. 19.
