Songs of Paradise

Excellent , Inspirational and keep in the freedom for such a girl who stuck between social fears.

"From the very first note, Paradise opens like a gentle breeze-soothing, soulful, and deeply expressive. Each song feels alive, carrying both calm and energy, making the whole album a journey of freedom and pure emotion."

Danish Renzu's Songs of Paradise is a hymn to the transformative power of songs and the steady courage behind it. It traces the life of Zeba Akhtar, portrayed in youth by Saba Azad and in later years by Soni Razdan.

From its opening scenes, Zeba's voice feels both fragile and insistent, an echo in a world determined to filter out female expression.

Zeba's character arc lingers on breath held before a performance, on an eye shift that betrays pride, on a voice bending the geo-cultural map of its time. The film's narrative moves like an aria, weighing heritage and longing more heavily than dramatic Pyrotechnics.

Saba Azad inhabits young Zeba with quiet intensity, every gesture calibrated less to attract attention, more to reclaim it. Soni Razdan, as the older Noor Begum, holds the screen with spectral calm, as if her voice still hums in her bones. Between them lies the film's emotional chord: time has worn her strength thin, but not gone.

Abhay Sopori's re-creation of Kashmiri compositions and Masrat-un-Nisa's vocals function as Zeba's inner language, unsent, yet unignored.

Renzu's Kashmir is not the conflict-scarred image the world knows, but a land carrying memory, music drifting by willow trees, rivers that remember her, and small injustices that won't let her stay silent.

The film occasionally smooths edges: obstacles slip too easily, conflicts resolve with too much decorum. Yet those soft arcs reflect Zeba's day-to-day perseverance rather than cinematic dramatization, her revolution is small, gentle, yet relentless.

Songs of Paradise is a rising note carried on a breath. It reminds us that sometimes, revolutions are not always loud, but can be gentle and can be remembered in silence.

Anwar Says: There was not much or interesting on OTT in these days , so I was in a bit silent mode. Yesterday, a biopic was released on Amazon prime of the first Kashmiri female singer, Raj "Noor" Begum and I was eager to know about her. First, if you are making a biopic, don't change the journey but it's the director who has to see that it is not presented so crude, that audience loose interest in between.

Saba Azad as young and Soni Razdan as elder Noor were perfect choice for the protagonist. Danish Renzu, a born Kashmiri, based in L. A. , not been able to create the Kashmir of 1950's, still the effort is appreciable. Songs are properly composed but the background score used mostly western instruments and not the Sarangi etc. , the saaz of Kashmir. Dialogues are outwrought for a soft movie like this.

Overall, it's a musical film having been able to convey music but with a lot of latches and shortcomings as movie. 2.5 out of 5 from me.

#amazonprime #anwarsays #kashmirimusic #noorbegum #firstfemalesinger #sabaazad #sonirazdan #danishrenzu #couldbebetter.

Film is an excellent introduction to authentic Kashmiri folk music. Hauntingly beautiful.

The performances especially by Saba and Soni are moving, and the film is sublimely etched into your soul. It is good to see such unsung facets of India coming to the fore and being celebrated for their talent and contribution.

Songs of Paradise is a cinematic gem! 🌟 The film brings Kashmir's soul alive with its hauntingly beautiful music, powerful vocals, and stellar acting by Saba Azad and Soni Razdan. The Kashmiri accent may feel unusual at first, but it adds authenticity and charm, making the experience even more immersive.

The songs are pure magic - emotional, timeless, and unforgettable. This is not just a film, it's a celebration of culture, resilience, and the healing power of music. Truly a must-watch!

~Zameer.