CANNES – Acclaimed Indian director Anurag Kashyap will be conferred with the French honor Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters. Kashyap – who returns to Cannes this year with Ugly after last year’s two part epic Gangs of Wasseypur – is being honored for his efforts “in the promotion of Indian cinema across the globe” according to a statement by the French Embassy in India.
French Culture Minister Aurelie Filippetti will confer the Chevalier dans l’ordre des Arts et Lettres honour on Kashyap at a ceremony in Cannes on Monday, May 20.
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“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,” French ambassador to India François Richier said in a statement.
“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.
Previous Indian recipients of the French honor include legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar, top star Shah Rukh Khan, top actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and acclaimed photographer Raghu Rai.
At Cannes this year, Kashyap has coproduced two other projects, The Lunchbox and Monsoon Shootout . He is also one of the four directors for the Bombay Talkies project.
The ensemble of four short films for Bombay Talkies – other directors include Karan Johar, Zoya Akhtar and Dibakar Banerjee – screens in a special gala presentation to celebrate 100 years of Indian cinema which also sees India as guest country at Cannes.
