Can You Use Bollywood Songs in Reels? A Quick Copyright Breakdown.

1. Introduction

Short-form video platforms like Instagram Reels have been at the forefront of users creating and sharing content, and Bollywood songs have become among the most used audio tracks in short videos. Despite this popularity, many users do not know if they are legally allowed to use these songs in their Reels. The confusion is understandable Under the Copyright Act, 1957, musical works, sound recordings and lyrics are also protected as “copyrighted works” and exclusive rights in their use are provided to authors and owners under S 13 and S 14 of the Copyright Act.[1] Using a song without permission may therefore constitute infringement if the use is not within the limited fair dealing exceptions provided under S 52.[2] This blog seeks to offer a simple and practical description of what Instagram users may and may not do when adding Bollywood music to their Reels.

2. How Copyright Works for Bollywood Songs

Bollywood songs have various copyrighted parts, including lyrics (literary work), musical composition (musical work), sound recording (phonogram) and any audio-visual in the cinematograph film. Each holds exclusive rights in different ways under sections 13 – 14 of the Copyright Act, 1957, including reproduction and communication to the public.[3] As most uses of Bollywood music in Reels involve synchronizing even a short segment of a song with video, this invocation of exclusive rights means prior authorization is required, unless there is an exception.

The basic test of infringement in India is R.G. Anand vs. Delux Films decided by a Bench of Syed Murtaza Fazal Ali, Jaswant Singh and R.S. Pathak, JJ.[4] “There cannot be any copyright in an idea because what is copyrighted is the form, manner and arrangement and expression of the idea.”[5] As Goodyear explains, the Indian courts inquire whether the impugned work makes “an unmistakable impression” of copying and whether the similarity is “substantial and material.”[6]

Given that Reels publicize disseminate synchronized audio-visual content, any recognizable portion of a Bollywood song ordinarily meets the threshold of copying expressive elements. Fair dealing under the Copyright Act’s s 52 is limited and does not, for the most part, apply to entertainment-oriented social media posts. As such, without the use of a licensed platform’s features (such as Instagram’s in-app library), the vast majority of uses will be prima facie infringing.

3. What Instagram’s Music Library Allows and Its Limits

Instagram’s features for music work under platform-wide licenses negotiated with music labels. These licenses are very limited in detail and only applicable when the users choose to use audio from Instagram’s in-app library. Whether or not a user is legally able to add Bollywood songs to a Reel therefore depends on where the audio came from, what type of account is being used, and whether the post is for commercial purposes.

1. Personal accounts using music in-app

When users add a Bollywood track directly by Instagram’s in-app music library, the use is usually permissible. Instagram explains that its features only allow users to “add music to your content” done within the platform’s tools.[7] This permission is restricted to personal, non-commercial use, meaning that the Reel cannot be part of a paid partnership, brand collaboration or monetized promotional activity.

Instagram’s license is platform specific – it applies to use within Instagram only and does not transfer if the Reel is downloaded. After the content moves outside of Instagram’s space, the user has to get their own license from the rights owner.

1. Business and creator accounts

Instagram’s agreements do not completely cover business or commercial activity. As a result, a large number of Bollywood songs are automatically blocked or removed for business accounts, which Instagram considers to be operating in a commercial capacity. Sponsored content, brand deals, paid collaborations, or advertisements are not covered by Instagram’s music licenses.[8] Creator accounts are also subject to limitations when their content contains elements of promotion such as affiliate marketing or influencer partnerships.

1. What is not covered

Instagram’s license does not cover videos that already have music added from an external source. Uploads of a reel with Bollywood music embedded from your phones gallery or editing software is considered unlicensed use often leading to muting or takedowns.[9]

The license is also not transferable. Downloading a Reel that uses Instagram-licensed music and reposting it on YouTube, Facebook, WhatsApp, or any other platform is a fresh form of public communication that requires independent permission.

Any usage of Bollywood music for promotional or commercial purposes, such as influencer posts, business promotions, advertisement for events, or product showcases, would require a separate license for the same from the copyright owner.

4. Consequences of Using Songs Without Permission

When copyrighted music is used without authorization, Instagram’s automated audio matching systems can mute the sound, block the video or remove the Reel if the material violates Instagram’s copyright guidelines.[10] Repeated copyright violations can result in reduced account functionality, limitation of music features, or other enforcement actions that restrict the user’s ability to post content.[11] Separately, rights holders may issue copyright reports that compel Instagram to remove infringing material in accordance with its intellectual property policies.[12]

Commercial misuse is more of a risk as promotional posts, sponsored content or brand collaborations are not covered by Instagram’s licenses or any fair dealing exceptions under statute. In such cases, users might not only be exposed to the risk of removal at the platform level, but also to the prospect of claims being made against them under the Copyright Act, 1957.

5. Practical Tips for Safe Music Use

Creators can minimize the risk of copyright infringement on Instagram by adhering to some simple practices. First, it is safest to use music only from Instagram’s in-app audio library as these music tracks have existing licenses with Instagram and are meant for personal use (not commercial use).[13] Users should avoid uploading videos with Bollywood songs added by external means (phone editors, third-party apps) as these videos are out of Instagram’s licensing parameter and are more prone to mutations (muting, removal).[14]

Businesses, influencers and creator accounts creating promotional material should use original audio, royalty-free libraries or music that they have independently licensed from rights holders. There are a number of labels and distributors who have simple licenses for social media use. When posting outside Instagram, creators must never download and re-upload Reels containing licensed music as Instagram’s permissions do not extend to external platforms.[15]

By following these steps, users can minimize the risk of copyright violations and ensure that their Reels are accessible without interruption.

6. Conclusion

Using Instagram’s in-app music library is still the safest bet for casual users who want to add Bollywood songs to their Reels as it will only be available to users that hold licences within Instagram and only for personal, non-commercial use. Any unlicensed use of music, particularly if added from outside, reposted across platforms, or used in commercial promotions will, in general, constitute copyright infringement under Indian law. Creators, influencers and businesses must therefore keep a lookout both for guidelines on the platforms and for statutory requirements in order to avoid being muted, taken down or being sent a legal notice from a rights holder. Reels may be trending, but copyright can and ultimately determines what music you are allowed to use.

[1]The Copyright Act, 1957, §§ 13–14, No. 14, Acts of Parliament, 1957 (India), https://www.copyright.gov.in/Documents/Copyrightrules1957.pdf

[2] Id. § 52

[3] Id. §§ 13–14

[4] R.G. Anand v. Delux Films, (1978) 4 S.C.C. 118 (India) (Bench: Fazal Ali, J.; Jaswant Singh, J.; R.S. Pathak, J.), https://api.sci.gov.in/jonew/judis/5032.pdf

[5] ibid

[6] Michael P. Goodyear, Adapting Indian Copyright: Bollywood, Indian Cultural Adaptation, and the Path to Economic Development, 23 VAND. J. ENT. & TECH. L. 517, 528–30 (2021), https://scholarship.law.vanderbilt.edu/jetlaw/vol23/iss3/2/ , https://ssrn.com/abstract=3645081

[7] Music Guidelines, Instagram Help Center, https://help.instagram.com/629037417957828 (last visited Dec. 6, 2025).

[8] id.; How To Avoid Copyright Issues When Using Bollywood Music, HOOPR SMASH BLOG, https://blog.hooprsmash.com/how-to-avoid-copyright-issues-when-using-bollywood-music (last visited Dec. 6, 2025).

[9] Bytescare, How To Post a Copyrighted Song on Instagram, BYTESCARE (Aug. 14, 2025), https://bytescare.com/blog/how-to-post-a-copyrighted-song-on-instagram.

[10] About Video Blocking and Muting on Instagram, Instagram Help Center, https://help.instagram.com/113605816019642(last visited Dec. 6, 2025).

[11] Report a Copyright Violation on Instagram, Instagram Help Center, https://help.instagram.com/1586774981367195 (last visited Dec. 6, 2025).

[12] How to Report Something on Instagram, Instagram Help Center, https://help.instagram.com/354736791367645 (last visited Dec. 6, 2025).

[13] Music Guidelines, supra note 7.

[14] About Video Blocking, supra note 10.

[15] Bytescare, supra note 9.