Soundtracks with millions of plays such as 'Malhari' from epic romance 'Bajirao Mastani' were among the deleted hits. Photo: Handout
Spotify users who listen to Bollywood music are left disappointed, after hundreds of songs from some of India’s biggest blockbusters disappeared from the music streaming app.
The BBC reported on Tuesday that soundtracks with millions of plays such as Malhari from epic romance Bajirao Mastani and Kala Chashma from Baar Baar Dekho were among the deleted hits.
Users realised that the songs had disappeared after loading them up and hitting play.
Spotify said that it has not been able to reach an agreement with the owners of the tracks after the old one expired, according to the report.
Fans who spoke to BBC Newsbeat expressed their disappointment over the missing songs.
One of them is Vishma Rai, who normally has a playlist full of her favourite Bollywood hits from films like Kalank and Ram-Leela.
“I’m so upset, this is insane,” said Rai.
“It’s so bad that Kalank songs are gone. One of my favourites was the title track, and it’s just so upsetting. I don’t know what I’m gonna listen to now when I want to feel loved up.”
A film buff identified by BBC Newsbeat as Zeenat said that she had cancelled her Spotify subscription in protest.
Other users have taken their disappointment to Twitter.
One user by the name Mannya said: “They removed Bollywood songs from Spotify it’s sad.”
Another, Suraj Khandelwal, compared the loss to burger chain McDonald’s not selling French fries.
“We don’t have all the world’s music and podcasts on Spotify, and what we do have varies over time and between countries. It all depends on permissions from rights holders,” said Spotify on its website.
“We add new content every day, so if you can’t find something, it may appear (or reappear) soon.”
However, Bollywood music fans may be happy to know that there is still hope.
Spotify said it would continue “good faith” attempts to find a “creative solution” with Zee Music - one of India’s biggest entertainment companies. – The Straits Times/Asia News Network
