A musical drama loosely inspired by the life of Padma Shri Raj Begum, Songs of Paradise puts into focus the rich poetic culture of Kashmir that often gets buried under the “Files” of jaundiced perceptions. It is the side of Kashmir that we have hardly seen in Bollywood.
Set in a time and space when the idea of a woman singing in public was taboo, it follows the struggle of Zeba Akhtar (Saba Azad/ Soni Razdan), who emerges as the voice of freedom because of her talent and tenacity.
Songs of Paradise (Hindi/Kashmiri)
Director: Danish Renzu
Cast: Saba Azad, Soni Razdan, Taaruk Raina, Zain Khan, Sheeba Chaddha, Shishir Sharma, Bilal Lone, Lalit Parimoo
Duration: 106 minutes
Storyline: Inspired by the legendary Raj Begum, it is the tale of the first female singer of Kashmir Radio
With the support of her tailor father (Bashir Lone is outstanding), Zeba stitches her musical dreams under the tutelage of Masterji (Shishir Sharma), who urges her to participate in a singing competition organised by Radio Kashmir. She wins the contest, but the social stigma attached to music forces her to assume a pseudonym, Noor Bano.
Soon, her haunting voice spreads far and wide, taking the profound verse of Azad Maqbool Shah (Zain Khan Durrani) to the common folk. Overcoming bureaucratic hurdles, she demands equal pay and fights for the rights of her co-artists. Without removing her traditional head cover, she proves that a woman is not just limited to singing lullabies and that singing can be more than just a hobby. With harmony in voice and gravity in her notes, her rise inspires a generation of female singers in the region.
The film doesn’t limit patriarchy to a gender. While Zeba’s father is supportive, her mother (Sheeba Chaddha) becomes a symbol of regressive thought that refuses to see the talent of her daughters. With harmony in her voice, gravity in tune, and passion in singing, Noor Bano becomes a household name.
As the girl caught between stones and milestones, Saba is the film’s lifeline, carrying its weight on her slender shoulders. She aces the Kashmiri accent and the body language of a girl caught between her passion and tradition. When Azad says that if the prayer had a voice, it would have been Noor Bano’s voice, we believe him because Saba becomes Zeba.
A singer, we can see Saba’s voice box resonate and vocal chords move. She is so good that she makes Soni Razdan’s performance feel jarring because Soni doesn’t try to master the accent. Sheeba shows how to do it and is impactful in a small role.
Apart from Saba, the hero of the film is its music, recreated by Santoor maestro Abhay Rustum Sopori. The pathos and pull of Kashmiri thought and tunes overwhelm you, keeping you invested and drawing you closer to the message of Lal Ded and Shamas Faqir. The idea “Will my beloved accept me with my imperfections…” keeps scratching the soul.
While the performances and songs strike a chord, the cinematography creates a painterly image, and the production and costume design seamlessly recreate the period and ambiance. The narrative stagnates after the build-up, and the payoff doesn’t live up to the promise.
ALSO READ: Reel life peps up Kashmir as top Bollywood directors put spotlight on film-making
Director Danish Renzu follows the oft-repeated template of flashback, where the aged Noor Bano reflects on her journey with a young music researcher played by Taaruk Raina. Though the dialogues are profound, particularly when Noor comments on gender stereotypes, they become increasingly reduced to inform the audience about Noor’s skills and contributions.
The script is without the political context of the period. It is the songs that tell the story. There is hardly any conversation apart from praising Noor. In the second half, it appears that the makers don’t want to present the complete picture. Neither her personal life nor the reach of her voice beyond Kashmir, which won her a Sahitya Akademi Award, is effectively mapped.
From heartfelt, we reach a stage where it feels half-hearted effort. The disclaimer, which says no humans were harmed in the making of the film, suggests that the makers don’t want to disturb the fragile sentiments. Watch it for Saba’s delineation of a complex character, and for Sopori’s recreation of Kashmiri melodies.
Songs of Paradise is streaming on Prime Video
Published – August 30, 2025 12:25 pm IST
