Mumbai: Veteran actor Soni Razdan says she was drawn to the idea of a biopic on legendary Kashmiri singer Raj Begum, whom she initially knew little about but came to admire as a visionary artist who overcame immense odds to leave a lasting legacy.
Filmmaker Danish Renzu’s “Songs of Paradise”, inspired by Raj Begum’s life, features Razdan and actor-musician Saba Azad in the lead roles. The film, which premiered on Prime Video on Friday, portrays the character of Noor Begum across two different time periods.
Razdan, who has collaborated with Renzu on several music videos, recalled how he introduced her to the project. “He told me about her, and I said, ‘Oh my gosh, how come I didn’t know about her?’ I thought it was fascinating. He sent me all the research material, and as I went through it and listened to her songs, I started thinking about the character,” she told reporters here.
Raj Begum began singing at weddings before emerging as one of Kashmir’s most powerful female voices. Encouraged by her father, she joined Radio Kashmir in 1954, where her melodious voice became iconic until her retirement in 1986. Known for singing straight from the heart, she became a symbol of freedom and cultural expression for Kashmiri women. She received the Padma Shri in 2002, the Jammu and Kashmir State Award in 2009, and the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 2013. Raj Begum passed away in 2016 at the age of 89.
Razdan believes Raj Begum was more than a singer—she was a pioneer whose dedication paved the way for women in Kashmir’s cultural landscape. “She achieved so much when the odds were against her. She realized her journey was bigger than herself—opening doors for generations to come. She was farsighted, and that defined her life,” Razdan said.
On portraying such a renowned figure, Razdan explained that she focused on the songs and emotions of the character rather than feeling overwhelmed. “I just left it to fate. I relied on Danish and the support of the Kashmiri crew on location. A big responsibility, yes, but you can’t dwell on that—you focus on the scene, the emotions, and the work falls into place,” she said.
Highlighting the film’s unique perspective, Razdan noted that narratives from conflict zones often emphasize violence, ignoring everyday life. “There’s always the unobvious drama in people’s lives, which often gets neglected. Stories like these need to be told, and hopefully, Danish will start a trend,” she said.
She also emphasized how Raj Begum’s supportive male mentors, including her father, challenged stereotypes. “For a place like Kashmir, where society is often seen as patriarchal, this story shows how men can be supportive, helping women overcome barriers,” Razdan added.
Presented by Excel Entertainment and produced by Apple Tree Pictures and Renzu Films, “Songs of Paradise” is written by Danish Renzu, Niranjan Iyengar, and Sunayana Kachroo. The film also features Zain Khan Durrani, Sheeba Chaddha, Taaruk Raina, and Lillete Dubey in pivotal roles.
