Songs of Paradise Review: Powerful Performances by Saba Azad and Soni Razdan…

BY SHANTISWAROOP TRIPATHI

• Rating: ★★
  
• Producers: Farhan Akhtar, Ritesh Sidhwani, Shafat Kaji, Danish Renzu
  
• Banner: Excel Entertainment, Apple Tea Pictures Productions, Renzu Film Productions
  
• Writers: Danish Renzu, Niranjan Iyengar, Sunayana Kachroo
  
• Director: Danish Renzu
  
• Cast: Saba Azad, Soni Razdan, Zain Khan Durrani, Sheeba Chaddha, Taruk Raina, Chittaranjan Tripathy, Bashir Lone, Lillete Dubey
  
• Duration: ~2 hours
  
• OTT Release: Amazon Prime, streaming from August 29

Background

In Muslim society, women have historically faced numerous restrictions—from wearing the burqa to being forbidden from singing, dancing, or engaging with music. In Kashmir especially, (Songs of Paradise movie review) women were barred from entering the world of music. Yet art cannot be contained. An artist’s voice rises above religion, caste, creed, and gender; while an artist can be suppressed, art itself cannot be shackled.

Nearly 60 years ago, Raj Begum broke these chains, becoming Kashmir’s first female singer, the first woman to sing on Kashmir Radio. She went on to receive the Padma Shri and awards from the Sangeet Natak Akademi, (songs of Paradise box office) among others. But her journey wasn’t easy—hardline elements resisted her at every step. Even her albums and books were once set ablaze. Still, her art endured, and she continued to win hearts through her voice.

Danish Renzu’s film Songs of Paradise, now streaming on Amazon Prime from August 29, draws inspiration from the life and legacy of Raj Begum.

The Story

The film opens in present-day Kashmir with Noor Begum (Soni Razdan), the most senior singer at Radio Kashmir. Revered for her decades of contribution to Kashmiri music, (Songs of Paradise OTT review) she remains a fighter for artists’ rights even today. Noor Begum’s journey—becoming the first woman to sing at Radio Kashmir—was paved with countless struggles.

Rumi (Taruk Raina), a Mumbai youth pursuing a Ph.D. in music, and an ardent admirer of Noor, wants to tell her untold story through an interview. Initially, she refuses, but later, moved by his passion, she agrees.

The story then shifts back to 1954. In post-independence Kashmir, young Zeba Akhtar, daughter of a humble tailor (Bashir Lone), dreams of a life beyond domestic confines. But her mother (Sheeba Chaddha) constantly reminds her that a woman’s only role is to marry (Songs of Paradise review Kashmir biopic) and manage a household. Zeba’s father, however, recognizes her musical gift and quietly supports her.

While doing chores at the home of Ustad Ghulam Nabi (Shishir Sharma), Zeba is captivated by his singing. One day, he hears her voice and immediately recognizes her rare talent. He encourages her, even enrolling her in a singing competition at Radio Kashmir—the first time a girl had ever participated.

When Zeba’s name is announced, no one claps except her Ustad. But as soon as she begins singing, the audience is spellbound. Among them is Azad (Zain Khan Durrani), a poet who instantly falls in love with her voice. (Songs of Paradise box office prediction)

Zeba wins the competition and a chance to sing for Radio Kashmir. To conceal her identity from her family, she adopts the stage name “Noor Begum.” But her fight with society continues. She even confronts the Radio authorities demanding equal pay with her male peers.

As Noor’s career blossoms, Azad proposes marriage, which her father supports despite her mother’s resistance. Their love story progresses, but new struggles arise—societal opposition, personal sacrifices, and the constant fight for recognition as an artist and as a woman.

The Review

The film’s pacing is sluggish. While the transformation of Zeba into Noor Begum is depicted beautifully, the emotional intensity the subject demands is missing. The pain of women being barred (Songs of Paradise review and reaction) from music is not portrayed with the depth it deserves.

The filmmaker chose a strong subject but failed to do full justice to it. The narrative rushes through key milestones without lingering on emotional depth. Adding Kashmiri songs every 2–3 minutes reinforces authenticity but eventually feels repetitive. Still, the attention to musical detail deserves applause.

The film deserves credit for its courage in showing the lived realities of Kashmiri Muslim women and the suffocating restrictions they faced. However, Kashmir itself is not presented with the cinematic richness the story required.

The Acting

Saba Azad shines as Zeba—her innocent, vulnerable presence and soulful portrayal leave a mark. She embodies the suppressed yet resilient spirit of the character. Soni Razdan, as the older Noor Begum (Songs of Paradise musical drama review), delivers a powerhouse performance, bringing grace and gravitas to the role. Both actresses deserve special praise for mastering the Kashmiri accent, which lends authenticity.

Sheeba Chaddha plays Zeba’s stern mother with conviction, while Zain Khan Durrani brings sensitivity to the role of Azad. Taruk Raina and Lillete Dubey offer solid support, and Lalit Parimoo, in a small role, leaves an impression. Overall, the performances are the film’s strongest pillar, with no weak link among the cast.

FAQs

1. Where and when did Songs of Paradise release?
   The film premiered on Amazon Prime Video on August 29, 2025, bringing its musical tribute to homes worldwide. 

2. How are critics responding to Songs of Paradise?
   Reviews are mixed. Koimoi called the premise strong but criticized execution and casting. Indian Express appreciated Saba Azad’s “strength and vulnerability,” while NDTV praised the performances and music as the film’s charm.

3. What standout did reviewers highlight about Saba Azad’s performance?
   Indian Express noted her portrayal "feels as if it could well have belonged to that era" (1950s), capturing period authenticity in body language and costume.

4. What makes Songs of Paradise visually and musically distinctive?
   NDTV praised its “nostalgia and restrained remembrance,” underlining folk-rooted music, evocative Kashmir visuals, and haunting yet gentle melodies that don’t rely on drama to carry the story.

5. Is Songs of Paradise available in theatres or only OTT?
   The film is a direct-to-OTT release, available exclusively on Amazon Prime Video from August 29, 2025.

6. What’s Songs of Paradise about?
   It's a musical biopic inspired by Raj Begum, Kashmir’s first female playback singer. The story follows her journey from anonymity to becoming a voice for her valley’s culture and resistance

7. Who are the key cast and crew behind Songs of Paradise?
   Directed and co-written by Danish Renzu, produced by Excel Entertainment and others, the cast includes Saba Azad, Soni Razdan, Zain Khan Durrani, Lillete Dubey, Sheeba Chaddha, Taaruk Raina, and more

8. Where was Songs of Paradise filmed, and when did it wrap?
   The film was shot across picturesque Kashmir and completed filming by October 22, 2022

9. What’s the musical style of the film? Who composed it?
   The soundtrack features folk-rooted, non-flashy compositions that feel organic to the era—composed by Peter Gregson.

10. Why is Songs of Paradise an important film beyond entertainment?
    It showcases a fragile yet powerful memory of women’s empowerment through music in conservative Kashmir, resisting spectacle in favor of quiet dignity and artistic authenticity.

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