Organisers announced on October 16 that Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan has curated UNIFYD, a one-day music festival aimed at uniting audiences from India, the Middle East and the global South Asian community through performances spanning Hindi film music, Punjabi tracks and other genres. The inaugural edition will unfold at Etihad Live on Yas Island with more than 15 artists appearing across multiple stages, building on Abu Dhabi’s established role as a host for major cultural events including the IIFA Awards that Khan presented there in 2024. Produced by D’YAVOL Live in collaboration with District, the gathering is organised with partners that include the Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi, Miral and Emirates NBD.
The headline acts comprise Arijit Singh, whose repertoire includes contemporary romantic ballads, Karan Aujla delivering Punjabi hip-hop, and Sonu Nigam performing a special set that organisers described as his first at a music festival. Further confirmed performers include Jonita, Shalmali Kholgade, Patiala Mehfil, Simran Choudhary, Nooriyah, Curtain Blue, Tech Panda x Kenzani, Rusha & Blizza, Stick No Bills, BOH! B, Priyanka and Unnayanaa, according to the lineup released by the festival team. Additional names are expected in coming weeks as the roster expands to reflect a mix of established and emerging talent.
Ministry of External Affairs data from January 2026 places the Indian population in the UAE at approximately 4.34 million, forming a significant portion of the expatriate base that the festival seeks to engage alongside regional and international visitors. The Indian music industry, which Statista assessed at 53 billion rupees in 2024, is projected to reach 78 billion rupees by the end of 2026 at a compound annual growth rate of 13.4 percent, providing context for the scale of this cross-border cultural initiative. Organisers positioned UNIFYD as a platform that matches the global reach already achieved by Indian music.
Shah Rukh Khan said in a statement, “I’ve spent a lifetime telling stories on screen and watching them bring people together. Music has that same extraordinary power. 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.” Bunty Singh, co-founder of D’YAVOL Live, added that the event assembles artists of this calibre on the same day in a lineup that has not existed before. The production, setting and experience have been built to match that ambition, according to the announcement.
Tickets will be sold exclusively through the District app, with early access for Emirates NBD cardholders opening at 9:30 a.m. UAE time on October 19 and running until 9:30 a.m. on October 20, the organisers reported. General sales commence at 10:30 a.m. on October 20, though prices have not yet been disclosed. The festival plans to expand to other international cities after its Abu Dhabi debut, extending its format beyond the initial Yas Island event.
D’YAVOL Live forms part of the D’YAVOL Luxury Collective co-founded by Khan, his son Aryan Khan and others, which frames the festival as an extension of his work in storytelling and audience connection. The event builds on the established popularity of Indian artists in the Gulf, where live performances regularly draw large crowds from the substantial South Asian diaspora. Further details on staging and programming are expected as preparations advance toward the March date.
