India’s reigning pop powerhouse Jonita Gandhi has joined forces with global superstar Ed Sheeran for a new cross-cultural rendition of his song “Heaven” — a collaboration that beautifully bridges continents, languages, and sounds. The refreshed version reimagines the track from Sheeran’s UK No. 1 album Play, adding a Hindi verse and a touch of Indian melodic warmth.
A natural continuation of Sheeran’s recent explorations into Indian music, the track glows with new energy. Jonita’s silken voice glides through a Hindi verse she co-wrote, infusing the song’s tender lyrics about love and devotion with an emotional freshness. Her vocals intertwine seamlessly with Sheeran’s signature tone — the pair harmonizing with an intimacy that feels both effortless and deeply felt.
“I’ve been such a huge fan of Ed’s for as long as I can remember,” Jonita says. “After meeting him and opening for his concert earlier this year in India, I was blown away by how grounded and genuine he is — and by how much he truly appreciates the music and culture here. “Heaven” is a beautiful love song, and I feel so honored to bring a little bit of my personality and heart into it.”
The collaboration traces back to Jonita’s first meeting with Ed Sheeran in Mumbai, when she saw first-hand his genuine curiosity about Indian instruments and melodies. That connection further deepened during his Chennai show, where she opened for him, and their mutual admiration made this collaboration feel almost inevitable.
Sheeran, too, was quick to praise his co-star:
“I met Jonita in 2024 when I played in Mumbai and then got to do some shows with her the following year when I came back for tour. In short, I’m a fan. I love her voice — the tone, the softness. This was the perfect tune for us to do together, and it’s also the first Hindi song I have released. It’s an honour to do it with her — what a talent.”
Jonita’s contribution earned her a co-writer credit alongside Ed Sheeran, Johnny McDaid, Ilya Salmanzadeh, Savan Kotecha, and Indian musicians Shayra Apoorva, Harjot Kaur, and Rutvik Talashilkar.
With more than 16 million monthly Spotify listeners and over 4 billion career streams, Jonita’s rise from Bollywood mainstay (“The Breakup Song,” “Arabic Kuthu,” “Deva Deva,” and “Beparwai”) to global collaborator has been meteoric. Her previous partnerships with The Chainsmokers, Sigala, and Leigh-Anne have already showcased her versatility, while recent honours — from a Juno nomination to Elle’s Powerhouse Performer Award — mark her as a defining voice of modern Indian pop.
Her collaboration with Sheeran isn’t just a duet; it’s a defining moment where Western pop and South Asian sensibilities meet on equal footing. “Heaven” has never sounded more universal.
Listen to the new version of “Heaven” now on all streaming platforms.
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