French honour for Anurag Kashyap

Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap will be conferred with the French honour Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters for his efforts in the promotion of Indian cinema across the globe.

India is the guest country at the ongoing 66th Cannes International Film Festival, which began Wednesday. It celebrates 100 years of Indian cinema.

French Culture Minister, Aurelie Filippetti will confer the Chevalier dans l'ordre des Arts et Lettres (Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters) honour on Kashyap at a ceremony during the Cannes film fest May 20, said a statement.

"Last year, at the Cannes Film Festival, his film 'Gangs of Wasseypur' received a standing ovation as it was premiered at the Director's Fortnight. This film was distributed commercially in France a few months back and was well received by the French public and press," said François Richier, ambassador of France to India.

"France has a tradition of supporting artists from all over the world. Bestowing the insignia of Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters on Anurag Kashyap is a recognition of his artistic talent and career, and his notable efforts in the promotion of Indian cinema in the world," Richier added.

To honour the Indian Film Industry, French Culture Minister Aurelie Filippetti will confer the award of Chevalier dans l'ordre des Arts et Lettres (Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters) on Kashyap at a ceremony during the Cannes Film Festival May 20, said a statement.

Four of Kashyap's works, including production projects "Monsoon Shootout" and "Lunchbox", as well as directorials "Ugly" and "Bombay Talkies", are to be screened at the fiesta.

One of the four short stories in "Bombay Talkies", commemorating 10 years of Indian cinema, is directed by Kashyap.

Some past Indian recipients of the honour include Lata Mangeshkar, Shah Rukh Khan, Aishwarya Rai and Raghu Rai.