Songs Of Paradise (2025) Review | Cast, Story, Ratings & Verdict
Songs Of Paradise (2025) review is a stirring exploration of a forgotten musical legacy. Directed by Danish Renzu and released on August 29, 2025 exclusively on Amazon Prime Video, this Indian biographical musical drama unfolds in the scenic valleys of 1950s Kashmir. Anchored by the powerful performances of Saba Azad and Soni Razdan, the film draws inspiration from the life of Raj Begum, Kashmir’s first female playback singer, rendered into a narrative that is lyrical both in theme and execution. What sets Songs Of Paradise apart is its gentle rebellion through melody, a biopic that avoids grandiosity yet resonates through its heartfelt simplicity, inviting viewers into a world where song becomes revolution.
Movie Overview
Songs Of Paradise unfolds as a musical biopic set in mid-20th-century Kashmir, chronicling the journey of Zeba Akhtar or Noor Begum, who becomes the first female singer on Radio Kashmir. Written and directed by Danish Renzu, and produced under banners including Excel Entertainment and Renzu Films, the film features a cast led by Saba Azad (young Zeba), Soni Razdan (older Noor), Zain Khan Durrani, Taaruk Raina, Sheeba Chaddha, Lillete Dubey, Shishir Sharma, and others. Cinematography by Vincenzo Condorelli and a soulful score from Abhay Sopori bring the era and emotion to life. Clocking in at approximately 106 minutes, the film premiered on Prime Video on August 29, 2025, offering audiences a contemplative look at artistry defying societal norms.
Plot Summary (Light, Non-Spoiler)
In Songs Of Paradise, we meet Rumi, a young musician and researcher, who visits a reclusive Noor Begum in Srinagar hoping to document her life. Hesitant at first, she eventually recounts her past as Zeba Akhtar, a Kashmiri woman with a luminous voice and limited social freedom. Encouraged by a music guru, she wins a singing competition and becomes the first female voice on Radio Kashmir, a triumph that crowns her success but also isolates her. The film tenderly portrays her personal sacrifices, societal obstacles, and the subtle power of music amid silence, while carefully sidestepping overt political commentary.
Cast & Performances
Saba Azad excels in the role of young Zeba or Noor, embodying both innocence and resolve with a natural ease that transcends period acting. Soni Razdan, as the older Noor Begum, delivers a haunting, modest intensity, her silences speaking volumes of regret, resilience, and memory. Zain Khan Durrani brings dignity and charm as the poet Azaad Maqbool Shah, though at times his portrayal feels too contemporary for the era. Sheeba Chaddha, Lillete Dubey, and Shishir Sharma add authenticity, particularly through Chaddha’s convincingly suffocating maternal presence. Overall, the ensemble shines, rooted in cultural fidelity and emotional clarity, anchoring the film’s soulful core.
Direction & Cinematography
Danish Renzu’s direction is delicate and intentional. He frames Noor Begum’s story less as a clash and more as a quiet unfolding, where melody becomes her resistance. His screenplay resists sensationalism, favoring introspection over confrontation. Vincenzo Condorelli’s cinematography is evocative, capturing Kashmir not as a postcard but as a landscape both beautiful and confining. Quiet valleys, subdued tones, and reflective stillness combine with unspoken tension. Together, direction and visuals create a rhythmic, contemplative pace, though some critics note the pace may feel too smooth, trading narrative grit for lyrical grace.
Themes & Style
At its heart, Songs Of Paradise is about voice, the power of song to defy patriarchal silence, and memory as preservation. It explores themes of gender, tradition, and creative emancipation through musical expression rather than rhetoric. There is an understated reverence for Kashmiri folk music, positioning it as both heritage and narrative thread. Stylistically, the film leans toward poetic realism, favoring subtle emotion and musical interludes over plot-heavy drama. The simplicity is intentional, though at times critics argue it borders on restraint at the expense of emotional depth.
Strengths & Weaknesses
Strengths
- Performances: Saba Azad and Soni Razdan deliver moving portrayals that are both tender and tenacious.
- Music: Abhay Sopori’s compositions rooted in Kashmiri folk feel genuine and narrative-driven.
- Cinematography: Visuals imbue Kashmir with quiet, layered emotion.
- Tone: The film’s restraint is also its charm, musical rebellion through softness.
Weaknesses
- Narrative Pacing: At 106 minutes, the film skims rather than delves into conflict, sometimes resolving obstacles too neatly.
- Emotional Depth: At times the story plays it safe, lacking the gravity its subject deserves, and occasionally feels staged.
- Musical Impact: While musically rich, the melodies may not linger memorably for all audiences.
Audience & Critical Reception
Critics have responded with measured appreciation. The Times of India awarded 3.5 out of 5 stars, praising its poetic simplicity and emotional grace. The Indian Express offered 2 out of 5, praising Saba Azad’s performance and authenticity in period portrayal while noting structural familiarity. Hindustan Times called it a tribute that plays it too safe but sweet enough to linger. Other reviewers from Rediff, News18, Firstpost, and India Today offered largely 3 out of 5 ratings, acknowledging its cultural importance despite narrative thinness. On social media, viewers praised its soulful tone, calling it a film that touches the soul, though some noted its simplicity felt flat.
Ratings Table
| Category | Rating (out of 10) |
|---|---|
| Storyline | 7/10 |
| Performances | 8.5/10 |
| Direction & Cinematography | 8/10 |
| Visuals / Effects | 7.5/10 |
| Entertainment Value | 7/10 |
| Overall Rating | 7.5/10 |
Final Verdict
Songs Of Paradise (2025) movie rating meets its muse in quiet strength and musical devotion. This gentle biopic may not resound with explosive drama or sweeping political commentary, but it hums with authenticity, emotion, and cultural reverence. Anchored by soulful performances and landscapes, it invites viewers to lean in and listen. For those seeking a lullaby to the unseen struggles of artistry, this film sings. If you are looking for the crisp clarity of biopic convention, Songs Of Paradise asks you to slow down, open your ears, and let melody speak.
Official Trailer
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