Jonita Gandhi on Working with Ed Sheeran, the Power of Indian Folk, and the Viral Reel Era!
In an age when musical borders are blurring and sounds from across the globe are intermingling, few artists embody this cross-cultural harmony better than Jonita Gandhi. Known for her mesmerizing voice that effortlessly bridges Indian classical roots with Western contemporary vibes, Jonita has become a global representative of India’s evolving music landscape. Her recent collaboration with Ed Sheeran, coupled with her reflections on the resurgence of Indian folk and the social media-driven “viral reel era,” captures the spirit of today’s globalized music scene.
A Dream Come True: Working with Ed Sheeran
Jonita Gandhi’s collaboration with global superstar Ed Sheeran has been one of the most talked-about musical moments of 2025. The duo worked together on a reimagined version of Ed’s soulful single “Heaven”, where Jonita added a Hindi verse to the English original, blending two worlds—British pop and Indian melody into one seamless piece.
For Jonita, it was nothing short of a dream realized. She first met Sheeran when he toured India and later had the chance to open for him at a concert in Chennai earlier this year. The collaboration, she revealed, “felt organic, like two musical energies meeting halfway across the world.” She recorded her vocals while on tour, collaborating remotely with Sheeran’s team to perfect the cultural and sonic balance.
“The Hindi lyrics add warmth and depth to the song,” Jonita said. “It’s amazing how music transcends language; people may not understand the words, but they feel the emotion.”
This project isn’t just about two artists performing together; it’s about two worlds conversing. It highlights how Indian music, once seen as a regional niche, has now become an integral voice in global music production. For Jonita, it’s a validation that Indian artistry belongs on the world’s biggest stages without needing to dilute its identity.
The Power and Revival of Indian Folk
One of Jonita’s most passionate beliefs is the growing global appreciation for Indian folk and regional sounds. She believes Indian folk’s emotional honesty and rhythmic diversity are what make it universally appealing. “It’s wonderful to see Indian music being embraced globally today. Folk and regional influences are finding new life in contemporary and international sounds,” she says.
Born in New Delhi and raised in Canada, Jonita’s multicultural upbringing gave her a deep understanding of both Eastern and Western music. She grew up listening to Bollywood classics while training in Western classical and pop, which naturally shaped her eclectic sound. This dual identity allows her to blend Indian folk motifs with modern pop structures, a fusion that appeals to both domestic and global audiences.
Her ability to adapt across languages from Hindi and Tamil to Punjabi and English has also made her a favorite among composers who seek versatility. “Songs that move effortlessly between Hindi, Tamil, and English feel very true to who I am,” she adds. This approach represents a new era in Indian music, one that embraces linguistic diversity as a creative advantage rather than a barrier.
As streaming platforms and collaborations grow, Indian folk music has found its way into unexpected placesfrom Hollywood soundtracks to K-pop-inspired beats. Jonita’s voice, which balances the softness of ghazal with the boldness of EDM, symbolizes that cultural crossover perfectly.
The Viral Reel Era: A Double-Edged Sword
Jonita Gandhi came into the limelight through YouTube, where her covers of Bollywood songs went viral long before “virality” became an industry metric. Years later, she’s still riding the digital wave—but with more perspective.
“The way people discover and engage with music has changed tremendously,” she says. “A 30-second clip can now travel faster than a full song ever could.” Platforms like Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts have revolutionized how artists reach audiences. For Jonita, this is both empowering and challenging.
On one hand, social media has democratized music distribution, allowing independent musicians to bypass traditional gatekeepers. On the other hand, it has created an environment where songs are often judged by their “real potential” rather than their artistic value. “Virality can be a beautiful opportunity, but longevity still comes from consistency, hard work, and genuine connection with your audience,” she cautions.
Jonita acknowledges that visuals and narratives are now inseparable from the music itself. “I’ve become more mindful of creating a complete experience music videos, live sessions, behind-the-scenes content—it’s all part of storytelling,” she says.
Her Instagram presence reflects this philosophy: vibrant, authentic, and interactive. She frequently collaborates with fellow artists and influencers, using short videos not just for promotion, but as creative expressions in their own right.
The Stage: Where Music Comes Alive
Despite thriving in the digital world, Jonita insists that nothing compares to the magic of live performance. “There’s something deeply special about the energy exchange that happens on stage,” she explains. Whether she’s performing in Mumbai or Toronto, her concerts radiate warmth, spontaneity, and a sense of shared emotion that no algorithm can replicate.
Having performed across continents, Jonita understands how to connect with diverse audiences. Her live shows often feature multilingual medleys and cross-genre mashups, an embodiment of her musical philosophy that unity lies in diversity.
As she gears up for her appearance at the Nykaaland festival in Delhi this November, Jonita views live events as an opportunity to present the “whole artist” experience. “People see the singer, but they also get to know the person behind the voice,” she says. For her, this human connection is the heart of why she continues to sing.
Lessons from Jonita’s Journey
Jonita Gandhi’s story is a testament to how passion, adaptability, and authenticity can propel an artist from YouTube covers to global collaborations. Her advice to emerging musicians is both practical and inspiring:
- Stay authentic. “Don’t chase trends; find your sound and own it,” she urges. Audiences can sense sincerity, and it resonates more than any viral formula.
- Be patient. Success may seem instant today, but real artistry takes time to grow and refine.
- Embrace experimentation. Jonita encourages musicians to collaborate, cross genres, and learn from diverse influences.
- Find joy in the process. “Music is about connection, not competition,” she says. Maintaining love for the craft sustains artists through the industry’s ups and downs.
- Stay grounded. Family, friends, and gratitude keep her centered amidst the chaos of fame.
A Voice for the Future
Jonita’s recent achievements highlight larger shifts shaping the future of global music:
- The merging of local roots with global reach.
- The reawakening of Indian folk as a modern, relevant genre.
- The rise of short-form content as a major discovery tool.
- The continued power of live performance to foster human connection.
Her career trajectory—from singing covers in her bedroom to performing alongside Ed Sheeran—is a powerful narrative of how the Indian music industry has evolved. What sets her apart is her ability to balance ambition with humility, tradition with innovation, and fame with substance.
Jonita Gandhi represents a generation of artists redefining what it means to be “Indian” in the global music space. She doesn’t see herself limited by genre, geography, or language. Instead, she stands as a symbol of cultural synthesis, proof that authenticity, when amplified by technology and openness, can resonate across borders.
As she beautifully puts it, “It’s truly a dream come true to contribute to something so global, yet so rooted in our sound.”
In a time when attention spans are fleeting and trends evolve daily, Jonita Gandhi reminds us that real music endures not because it’s viral, but because it’s vital.
