Ed Sheeran's recent comparison of Shah Rukh Khan's Om Shanti Om to Star Wars has sparked amusement and discussion among fans of both the singer and Bollywood. The British popstar likened the experience of discovering the film to someone being introduced to Star Wars for the first time.

Sheeran made the comments during a recent YouTube video with Zane Lowe, where he shared insights from his trips to India and expressed his admiration for Indian culture and cinema. Sheeran recalled how his travels across the country left him fascinated. He specifically mentioned being captivated by the diversity in culture, language, food, and fashion every hundred miles.

Reflecting on his visit to India for the shoot of his song "Sapphire," Sheeran said that the primary reason for the tour was to film the music video. He and his team traveled across the country to capture diverse visuals. Sheeran was amazed by the constant changes in culture, language, food and fashion.

Bollywood cinema, in particular, was a revelation for Sheeran. He described discovering Indian films as a "wealth of discovery". This led him to the analogy of introducing someone to Om Shanti Om, a film he considers to be a "really big Shah Rukh Khan movie" with "amazing songs and dances," to introducing someone to Star Wars. He noted the existence of superstars within India who sing in different languages, further highlighting the country's diverse entertainment landscape.

Directed by Farah Khan, Om Shanti Om (2007) stars Shah Rukh Khan and marked the debut of Deepika Padukone. The reincarnation drama was a commercial success, earning ₹148.20 crore worldwide. One of the film's most iconic elements is the song "Deewangi Deewangi," which features appearances from 31 Bollywood celebrities.

Sheeran's connection with India goes beyond just watching Bollywood films. He collaborated with Arijit Singh on "Sapphire", a track on his eighth studio album, Play. Sheeran spent a month in India filming the track, traveling to Singh's hometown in West Bengal, taking auto rides, exploring streets and even performing impromptu gigs. He called the trip and collaboration "the most amazing days in my musical career". He also met with icons like Shah Rukh Khan. In March 2024, Ed Sheeran visited Shah Rukh Khan at his residence, Mannat.

Ed Sheeran's "Sapphire" music video also features a cameo by Shah Rukh Khan. Sheeran also sang a Hindi song for one of Khan's film projects.

Sheeran's appreciation for India is evident. His comparison of Om Shanti Om to Star Wars, while "a weird analogy" in his own words, reflects the impact that Bollywood and Indian culture have had on him.