MUMBAI: The French government will confer "Officer of the Order of Arts and Letters" title on Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan for his contribution to Indian film industry.

The distinction is given to persons who have established themselves by their creativity in the field of art, culture and literature or for their contribution to the influence of the arts in France and throughout the world.

French Ambassador in India Jerome Bonnafont will confer the title on Khan at the inaugural ceremony of four-day French film festival - First rendezvous with French cinema here in Mumbai on 27 January.

This is not the first time an Indian film personality is being honoured by the French government. In 2005, renowned director Adoor Gopalakrishnan was bestowed with a similar title as Khan, while last year Amitabh Bachchan was conferred with "The Legion d'Honneur", France's highest civilian honour.