French Toast

Shah Rukh Khan at the awards function.

In 2007, he was conferred Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the French government for his contribution in the field of arts. On Tuesday, Shah Rukh Khan received France’s highest distinction, Knight of the Legion of Honour, for his “his outstanding contribution to cultural diversity across the world”.

In a high-profile event held at Mumbai’s Taj Mahal Palace hotel, Laurent Fabius, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Development of France, presented the actor with the award, instituted by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802. Sporting a stubble and ponytail, Khan indulged in some fine humour as he read out his acceptance speech in French from a note he had written in Hindi.