Songs of Paradise

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.

Just stumbled upon this without any expectations. But couldn't stop watching.. it's so innocent and yet so strong.. difficulties faced by women back then (perhaps somewhere even today) that we are unaware of. How a girl with a beautiful voice just wanted to sing and how she was penalised for it, how she struggled and overcame difficulties. It is definitely not a big budget movie, but as you start watching it, you just enjoy it, and as I said, it's like a warm cup of tea, the story of Kashmir being unfolded.

This is undoubtedly one of the best movies of 2025. From start to finish, it keeps you hooked with its brilliant direction, soulful songs, meaningful lyrics, and powerful dialogues. The performances are flawless, and every detail is executed to perfection. A true cinematic paradise that lingers long after the credits roll!

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.

Watched this over the weekend! Im obsessed with the songs so beautiful! Love the acting both the actresses who played younger and older noor begum! Well portrayed the character! Beautiful story. The character stays with you ! Movie definitely deserve more viewers! The story should reach the masses!!