French honour for Shahrukh Khan

The king of Indian film industry, Shah Rukh Khan, adding another glory to his achievements as was conferred the prestigious Officer of Arts and Literature on Sunday by the French Ambassador to India Jerome Bonnafont in Mumbai.

The French Ambassador presented him the award in the opening day of French Film Festival in Mumbai.

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He also mentioned Shahrukh Khan as one of the great artists in Indian films that had taken the charm of Indian cinema the world over." Last year I had watched his movie Om Shanti Om and it was enjoyable”, he added.

"I am proud we have taken our culture and identity to France through the medium of our films," he said.

Ordre des Arts et des Lettres

Created in 1957, the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (Officer of Arts and Literature) is one of the four prestigious ministerial honours of French Republic. It recognizes French citizen as well as foreign artists who have gained fineness in the field of arts and literature.

Shahrukh now have joined novelist Arundhati Roy, film actress Sharmila Tagore and acclaimed filmmaker Adoor Gopal Krishnan who are the other Indian recipient of the same.

Khan also now included among the Hollywood biggies George Clooney, Leonardo Di Caprio, Clint Eastwood, Mery Streep and Bruce Willis who were earlier conferred with the honour.

"I feel honoured to receive this award. I've not been bestowed with such an international recognition before and I am touched by the gesture”, Khan said after receiving the award. “Sincerely hope that I will be able to, in my own small way, be an ambassador of Indian cinema to the French", he added further.