Shiraz: A Romance of India | by Franz Osten | Presented at Cinem'Art - Louvre Abu Dhabi

The screening is inspired by The Mughal empire paintings, which depict a certain lifestyle and elegance that is reflected in this film, set in 17th-century India. The paintings can be seen in Gallery 7.

This epic silent film shot entirely on location in India, with an all-Indian cast, is the ravishing, romantic tale of 17th-century Mughal ruler Shah Jahan, his queen and the building of the world’s most beautiful monument to love: the Taj Mahal.

Producer and star Himansu Rai plays humble potter Shiraz, who follows his childhood sweetheart Selima, when she is sold by slave traders to the future emperor. Selima catches the eye of the prince, but finds a rival in an ambitious favourite from his harem. Shiraz meanwhile, is fated to design the queen’s iconic mausoleum.
Restored by the BFI National Archive and featuring a specially commissioned score by the Grammy Award-winning Anoushka Shankar.