Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan is trying his hand at music festivals. On October 16, 2026 he announced UNIFYD, a new one-day festival of Indian music that he is curating, set for Saturday, March 20, 2027 at Etihad Live on Abu Dhabi's Yas Island. Playback singer Arijit Singh, Punjabi singer and rapper Karan Aujla and veteran vocalist Sonu Nigam lead a lineup of more than 15 artists across multiple stages.
Who is behind it
UNIFYD is produced by D'YAVOL Live and the going-out platform District, in collaboration with the Department of Culture and Tourism, Abu Dhabi and Miral, and in association with Emirates NBD, according to Khaleej Times and Aletihad. Organizers say the festival was built on the belief that Indian artists deserve a place on major global stages, and they have said they plan to take it to other cities and international markets after the first edition in Abu Dhabi.
“I've spent a lifetime telling stories on screen and watching them bring people together. Music has that same extraordinary power,” Khan said. “UNIFYD, produced by D'YAVOL Live along with District, will unite India's most incredible artists on a shared stage for the first time. The festival promises to be a true spectacle in terms of its scale, energy, and grandeur.”
The first three names
Arijit Singh, who has won two National Film Awards, is one of the most recognizable voices in Indian cinema, with hits including “Tum Hi Ho,” “Channa Mereya” and “Chaleya.” Karan Aujla is known for tracks such as “Tauba Tauba,” “Softly” and “Winning Speech,” and has built a following well beyond India. Sonu Nigam, behind “Kal Ho Naa Ho” and “Abhi Mujh Mein Kahin,” will give a special performance that organizers say is the first music festival appearance of his career. Further lineup announcements are expected in the coming days, Khaleej Times reported.
How to get tickets
Tickets are sold only through the District app. Emirates NBD cardholders get early access from 9:30 a.m. UAE time on Monday, October 19, 2026 until 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, October 20. General sales open at 10:30 a.m. UAE time on October 20. Ticket prices had not been announced when the festival was revealed, DXB Edit reported.
Why it matters
UNIFYD is a star-led brand built around a single music culture, backed by a destination's tourism body and pitched at a regional audience with plans to travel. It joins a busy year of new festival formats aimed at specific fan communities, from Weverse Con's first festival in India to one-off events like Goldenvoice's Head Trip.