I never knew French people also knew me: Shah Rukh

Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan, who was conferred the 'Officer of the Order of Arts and Letters' title by the French government yesterday, admitted that he did not know he was popular in France.

"I came to know that people in UK knew me after I travelled there. But I never knew people in France also knew about me," Shah Rukh Khan said, prior to the function in a suburban hotel where he was awarded the title last night.

"I am proud we have taken our culture and identity to France through the medium of our films," the superstar said.
The title was conferred to Khan by Jerome Bonnafont, French Ambassador in India, at the inaugural ceremony of a four-day French film festival.

Admitting to having a French connection, Khan said he used to go to the French Cultural Centre in Delhi to watch their movies since he was told it was the best cinema. "But I also used to watch it for the lovemaking scenes," he quipped.

The star also said he had not thought about acting in foreign films as he had not been offered any yet.

The actor, who had a good year in 2007 with runaway hits 'Chak De! India' and his home-production 'Om Shanti Om', was conferred the award in recognition of his 15-year-long career in the Hindi film industry.

The 'Order of Arts et Lettres' is one of the four Ministerial Honours of the French republic and was established
In 1957 to reward artists who gained fame for their works in the field of arts and literature and have promoted these fields.

Hindustan Times