India, Dec. 21 -- The past year saw some of the biggest cross-industry collaborations turn into defining pop culture moments, cutting across sport, cinema, music, television and the digital space. Here's a straight look at the tie-ups that dominated conversation. 1. Lionel Messi x Sachin Tendulkar During Lionel Messi's GOAT India Tour in December 2025, the Argentine football icon shared the stage with Sachin Tendulkar at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium. The moment peaked when Tendulkar presented Messi with his 2011 World Cup jersey, bringing together two of the most celebrated No. 10s in sporting history and uniting cricket and football fandoms worldwide. 2. A.R. Rahman x Hans Zimmer (Ramayana) A.R. Rahman and Hans Zimmer came together for Nitesh Tiwari's upcoming Ramayana, starring Ranbir Kapoor. The collaboration marked a rare meeting of Indian and Hollywood film music sensibilities, positioning the project as one of the most anticipated cinematic soundscapes in recent years. 3. Ed Sheeran x Arijit Singh x Shah Rukh Khan Ed Sheeran's collaboration with Arijit Singh extended beyond the studio, with Sheeran visiting Jiaganj, Arijit's hometown. The track Sapphire featured Sheeran singing in Hindi and Punjabi, while Shah Rukh Khan made a cameo in the music video, turning the release into a global pop-cultural moment. 4. Bill Gates x Smriti Irani (Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2) Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates appeared virtually on the reboot of Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, interacting with Smriti Irani's Tulsi Virani to discuss maternal health and nutrition. The unexpected crossover blended public health advocacy with one of Indian television's most recognisable fictional characters. 5. Martin Scorsese x Neeraj Ghaywan Martin Scorsese signed on as executive producer for Neeraj Ghaywan's Homebound. Beyond the credit, Scorsese was actively involved in the film's international awards campaign, signalling a significant bridge between Indian independent cinema and global filmmaking circles. 6. Jackson Wang x Kapil Sharma K-pop star Jackson Wang appeared on Netflix's The Great Indian Kapil Show, engaging with Kapil Sharma's brand of humour, attempting Hindi phrases and sampling Indian food. The episode became a talking point among Gen Z audiences and K-pop fans in India. 7. MrBeast x Indian Creators MrBeast expanded his India footprint in 2025 by launching regional-language audio tracks across seven Indian languages. This was followed by large-scale collaborations with creators such as Ashish Chanchlani, including India-shot challenge videos that blended global viral formats with local creators. 8. Sachin Tendulkar x Reddit As part of his TENXYOU initiative, Sachin Tendulkar joined Reddit, hosting AMA sessions and engaging with cricket-focused meme communities. The move was aimed at reaching younger audiences through digital-first platforms. 9. MS Dhoni x R. Madhavan (The Chase) MS Dhoni made his acting debut in the action project The Chase, directed by Vasan Bala, co-starring R. Madhavan. The teaser showcased Dhoni in a tactical action role, marking a notable crossover from sport to cinema. 10.Shah Rukh Khan x Salman Khan x Aamir Khan courtesy of Aryan Khan In his directorial debut series The Ba**ds of Bollywood*, Aryan Khan orchestrated a moment long considered impossible in mainstream Hindi cinema. The series featured Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan and Aamir Khan together in a brief, self-referential cameo, where the three actors acknowledged and satirised their own larger-than-life personas. The sequence stood out less for spectacle and more for its context - a generational shift that saw Bollywood's most dominant stars come together under the direction of the next generation....