Songs of Paradise (2025) [Film Review]: Saba Azad breathes life into Kashmir’s forgotten melody

Danish Renzu’s Songs of Paradise is a quietly beautiful ode to Kashmiri music and the women who fought to be heard. Set in the 1950s–60s Kashmir and running just over 100 minutes, the film chooses restraint over spectacle, inviting viewers into the delicate arc of a singer’s life rather than an epic biographical sweep.

Story & Screenplay

A life told like turning pages

The film traces Noor Begum’s younger self, Zeba Akhtar (Saba Azad), from a gifted wedding singer to the first female voice on Radio Kashmir. The narrative frames Zeba’s past through the present-day Noor (Soni Razdan), whose memories unfold to a visiting music student. Writers Danish Renzu, Sunayana Kachroo, and Niranjan Iyengar favour intimacy—small moments, household conflicts, and mentorship by music maestro Nabi (Shishir Sharma) drive the plot. This approach yields an emotionally honest portrait, though it deliberately sidesteps the Valley’s wider political turbulence, opting for a more personal, almost dreamlike life-story.

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Performances

A career-making turn and a cast rooted in authenticity

Saba Azad anchors the film with a performance of steady humility; she captures Zeba’s musical devotion and private courage with nuance. Soni Razdan’s elderly Noor lends the film a wistful gravity, while Sheeba Chaddha is memorably forceful as the suffocating mother, giving the story its emotional friction. Taaruk Raina, Zain Khan Durrani, Lillete Dubey, and others round out a cast that nails the Kashmiri cadence, enhancing the film’s sense of place.

Music & Cinematography

Music as the film’s true protagonist

The film’s greatest triumph is its treatment of Kashmiri song—carefully recorded, respectfully performed, and woven into the narrative as character rather than ornament. Visually, the film recreates the period with quiet, unobtrusive framing that lets the music and performances breathe. The production values are modest but sincere, reinforcing the film’s intimate tone.

What Doesn’t Fully Land

Beauty at the expense of breadth

For all its integrity, the film is cautious. The choice to largely avoid the political realities of 1950s–60s Kashmir softens the stakes and sometimes makes the world feel too idyllic. At times, the screenplay’s simplicity verges on safe; viewers seeking sweeping context or sharper dramatic turns may find it wanting.

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Final Verdict — ★★★⯪☆ (3.5/5)

A humble, heartfelt portrait worth hearing

Songs of Paradise is a patient, music-first biopic that rewards quiet attention. It may not aim for grand revelations, but its authenticity—especially Saba Azad’s performance and the film’s devotion to Kashmiri music—makes it a touching cinematic experience. For audiences who appreciate character-driven stories and musical heritage, this film is a gentle, worthwhile listen.