Songs of Paradise trailer: Saba Azad and Soni Razdan celebrate music, courage and defiance in Kashmir’s valley

Prime Video’s Songs of Paradise trailer honours Raj Begum’s legacy, with Saba Azad and Soni Razdan portraying Noor Begum’s struggles, resilience, and journey as Kashmir’s pioneering female singer.

Soni Razdan; Saba Azad in stills from Songs of Paradise

Summary:

• Prime Video released the trailer of Songs of Paradise, inspired by Padma Shri Raj Begum, Kashmir’s first female playback singer.

• Saba Azad and Soni Razdan portray Noor Begum across two eras, showcasing her struggles and resilience in pursuing music.

• The film blends Kashmir’s musical heritage with Raj Begum’s legacy, featuring music by Abhay Sopori and vocals by Masrat Un Nissa.

Prime Video on Monday unveiled the trailer of Songs of Paradise a film inspired by the life and journey of Padma Shri awardee Raj Begum, Kashmir’s first female playback singer. The film, directed by Danish Renzu and co-written with Niranjan Iyengar and Sunayana Kachroo, pays tribute to the late artist who is remembered as the “voice of Kashmir”. Sheeba Chaddha, Zain Khan Durrani, Shishir Sharma, Lillete Dubey, and Taaruk Raina star alongside Saba Azad and Soni Razdan, who play the leading roles.

Noor Begum’s story unfolds across generations

The trailer gives viewers a glimpse at Noor Begum, whose story is based on the life of Raj Begum and portrayed by Azad and Razdan in two separate eras. The story of Noor centres on her as a talented teenage singer who defied gender norms to follow her dreams. Her bravery, tenacity, and refusal to give up on her dream of creating a legacy in the valley are all on display in the video.

We see in the trailer that young Noor had to face several struggles in Kashmir, as no females were allowed to be singers. She starts recording songs under pseudonym and in no time, she becomes a household name. However, her hardships never stop, but that doesn't stop Noor from fulfilling her dream and becoming a popular singer across the country.

With the goal of capturing Kashmir's rich musical heritage, the film's score was composed by Abhay Sopori and features vocals by Masrat Un Nissa.

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Saba Azad on portraying Noor Begum’s younger self

According to Azad, who plays the younger Noor Begum, the role was eye-opening for her. The actor remarked that it has been an absolute revelation to get the chance to portray a character based on the renowned Raj Begum. As a musician, she takes great delight in her extensive listening vocabulary; nonetheless, she knew nothing about the Raj Begum phenomenon. This film has taken Azad on a journey through her life and times, revealing her endless musical repertoire.

She went on to say that an independent and resilient female protagonist is the protagonist of this film, she went on to say. Azad added that Songs of Paradise is a story that honours the musical legacy of Kashmir and the woman who played a significant role in shaping it.

Soni Razdan on playing older Noor Begum

According to Razdan, who plays the older Noor Begum, the role was incredibly impactful. The story of Songs of Paradise deeply touched her the moment she heard the script. She described her experience as a profound one, representing decades of strength, cultural identity, and perseverance, as she stepped into her character. Razdan also said that it's a moving story that pays tribute to Kashmir's music and her incredible life story.

Songs of Paradise aims to showcase the ongoing influence of Raj Begum and explore the hardships and achievements of a pioneering woman in Kashmiri music through its blend of history, music, and storytelling. The film will begin streaming on Prime Video (Subscribers of OTTplay Premium will also be able to watch the film with a top-up) on August 29, 2025.

FAQs

Q: Who was Raj Begum, the inspiration behind Songs of Paradise?

A: Raj Begum was Kashmir’s first female playback singer and a Padma Shri awardee, often referred to as the “voice of Kashmir.” She broke societal barriers to pursue music and paved the way for future generations of artists from the valley.

Q: Who plays the role of Noor Begum in Songs of Paradise?

A: The character of Noor Begum is portrayed by Saba Azad as the younger version and Soni Razdan as the older version, bringing two different phases of her life to the screen.

Q: Who directed and wrote Songs of Paradise?

A: The film is directed by Danish Renzu and written by him, along with Niranjan Iyengar and Sunayana Kachroo.

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