Franz Osten’s sumptuous Indian silent classic, Shiraz: A Romance of India, now restored by the BFI National Archive with a new score by Anoushka Shankar, imagines the sweeping love story of the 17th-century princess Mumtaz Mahal and the subsequent construction of the iconic Taj Mahal in her honour.

The film’s producer, Himansu Rai, also stars as humble potter Shiraz, who follows his childhood sweetheart Selima (Enakshi Rama Rau) when she is sold by slave traders to the future emperor (Charu Roy). Selima catches the eye of the prince but finds a bitter rival in an ambitious favourite (Seeta Devi) from his harem. Shiraz, meanwhile, is fated to design the queen’s iconic mausoleum.

Shot entirely in India, featuring lavish costumes and gorgeous settings – including the extraordinary fort at Agra – this treasure is available on Blu-ray for the first time with a new 4K restoration by the BFI National Archive and a stunning new score from world-renowned sitar player and composer Anoushka Shankar.

Following its premiere at the BFI London Film Festival last October and theatrical release today (2 February), Shiraz: A Romance of India will be released on Blu-ray/DVD in a Dual Format Edition by the BFI on 26 February 2018 at the RRP of £19.99.

Special features:

• Restoration Demonstration (2017, 3 mins)
• Temples of India (1938, Hans M Nieter, 10 mins): Indian travelogue featuring beautiful colour footage of the Taj Mahal shot by Jack Cardiff
• Musical Instruments of India (1944, 12 mins): public information film made by the Government of India to promote Indian arts and culture
• Illustrated booklet with essays by Bryony Dixon, Simon Broughton and Gautam Chintamani, and full film credits

Below is a new BFI trailer: