New Delhi, Oct. 26 -- When Shah Rukh Khan dropped a behind-the-scenes reel from Aryan Khan's directorial debut Ba***ds of Bollywood, fans were puzzled to find it locked behind a password. The move wasn't a glitch - it was a test of Instagram's newest experiment: password-protected Reels, also known as Lockable Reels.

The feature lets creators restrict access to videos behind a password, turning fan engagement into a guessing game. For audiences, it's a playful challenge. For creators and brands, it's a new layer of exclusivity and interaction.

Mint explains how Instagram's Lockable Reels work, why Meta is testing them, and what they could mean for India's creator economy.

Lockable Reels are a new Instagram feature that allows creators ...