French award for Shah Rukh Khan

The French government will confer "Officer of the Order of Arts and Letters" title on Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan for his contribution to Indian film industry, a senior French government official said on Thursday.

"The title is being conferred to recognise the successful work done by Khan in 15-year career span and his contribution to Indian cinema - as an artiste and entrepreneur," Audiovisual Attache - Head of the French Film and TV office, French Embassy in India, Mohamed Bendjebbour said.

The distinction is given to persons who have established themselves by their creativity in the field of art, culture and literature or for their contribution to the influence of the arts in France and throughout the world, Bendjebbour said.

French Ambassador in India Jerome Bonnafont will confer the title on Khan at the inaugural ceremony of four-day French film festival - First rendezvous with French cinema here in Mumbai on January 27.

This is not the first time an Indian film personality is being honoured by the French government. In 2005, renowned director Adoor Gopalakrishnan was bestowed with a similar title as Khan, while last year Amitabh Bachchan was conferred with "The Legion d'Honneur", France's highest civilian honour.

"We have the tradition of honouring great film personalities in India. Our government believes that Indian film industry is today among the best in the world in terms of quality," the official said.