NEW DELHI: Filmmaker Yash Chopra has been named for the award of Officier de la Legion d’Honneur (Officer of the Legion of Honour) by the French Government.
The filmmaker, entrepreneur, producer, and director will be presented the honour during an official ceremony at the French Embassy in New Delhi, hosted by French ambassador Jérôme Bonnafont. The ceremony will be held on 5 July 2008.
“France has a tradition of supporting artists from all over the world. Bestowing the insignia of Officer of the Legion of Honour on Chopra is a recognition of his international ‘artistic‘ career, and his notable efforts in the promotion of cultural exchanges and Indian cinema in the world,” said Bonnafont.
With a career of 50 years with the film industry, Yash Chopra has been both directly and indirectly associated with approximately 40 films. His talent enabled him to build Yash Raj Film Studios, one of the biggest filmmaking banners in India.
Fascinated by French cinema, Chopra is well known and respected among the French cinema industry. Most of his films have been released in French cinema halls as well as in video format.
Younger brother of B R Chopra and father of Aditya Chopra, Yash Chopra has carved a niche for himself in the field of romantic films with successes like Veer-Zaara, Dil To Pagal Hai,
Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge, Kabhi Kabhi, Lamhe, Chandni, and Silsila.
The “Légion d‘Honneur” (Legion of Honour) is the highest distinction that can be conferred by the French Republic on a French citizen as well as on a foreigner. The Order of the Legion of Honour was instituted in 1802 by Napoléon Bonaparte.
Some famous personalities who have been awarded this honorary title include Steven Spielberg and Gérard Depardieu. In India, the recipients of this honour include late Satyajit Ray, Lata Mangeshkar and Amitabh Bachchan.
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