Spotify has removed Zee Music Company’s entire catalogue of Bollywood songs after negotiations for a renewal of their licensing agreement fell through last week. Bollywood fans were not amused and vented their rage on social media, with some threatening to cancel their subscription to the music streaming service.
Spotify stated in a statement to the Hindustan Times, “Spotify and Zee Music have been unable to reach a licencing agreement.” Throughout these negotiations, Spotify has attempted to find innovative ways to reach an agreement with Zee Music, and we will continue to negotiate in good faith in the hope of reaching a mutually agreeable solution soon.”
Maiyya Mainu from Jersey (2022), Makhna from Drive (2019), and Zaalima from Raees (2017) are among the songs that have been removed. The soundtracks to the romantic comedy Veere Di Wedding (2018), the award-winning Gully Boy (2019), and the period drama Kalank (2019) have also been removed.
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A fan took to Twitter to express his displeasure with the move. “Is Spotify feuding with Bollywood? Why are they removing almost all of the songs? “What are they up against with Daaru Desi and Kala Chashma?” A tweet was read.
Another user stated that their “week is ruined” as a result of this. “Nagada Sang Dhol and a slew of Bollywood songs have been removed from Spotify, and my week has been ruined.”
THEYRE REMOVING BOLLYWOOD SONGS OFF SPOTIFY I HATE THIS YEAR SO MUCH AND ITS ONLY MARCH https://t.co/XdO9ZVZ6wt
— kiwi ¹⁰¹⁴ 🌼 (@sunf1owervolish) March 17, 2023
A user said it’s a “crime” to remove all their favourite songs.
FIRST RAMLEELA AND BAJIRAO MASTANI AND THEN OMKARA AND NOW THE KALANK SOUNDTRACK IS GONE FROM SPOTIFY TOO ????? what a horrible horrible time for desi girls wtf
— faerie (@faetalflaw) March 15, 2023
how am i gonna romanticize my life if spotify keeps taking off bollywood songs 😕
— G.G (@scratchedflower) March 18, 2023
However, a user reminded fans that online streaming platforms should “never be a replacement for physical collections.”
Another reminder that while streaming can be great and has an important role, it should NEVER be regarded as a replacement for a physical collection #Spotify #Bollywood pic.twitter.com/GwxdgSm8JK
— AndrewDixonMusic (@ADixonMusic) March 20, 2023
Another reminder that while streaming can be great and has an important role, it should NEVER be regarded as a replacement for a physical collection #Spotify #Bollywood pic.twitter.com/GwxdgSm8JK
— AndrewDixonMusic (@ADixonMusic) March 20, 2023
The streaming platform’s website states that it does not provide access to all of the world’s music and podcasts. It, like Netflix, negotiates licencing deals with music publishers and rights holders so that their songs can be played online.
Zee Music did not renew its licencing agreement with the music app Gaana last year and severed ties with them. Gaana became a subscription-only service a few months later. The production company has 93.6 million YouTube subscribers. T-Series, with 239 million YouTube subscribers, comes in second.
