Aishwarya Rai honored by Franco-Indian co-operation

The 37-year-old star, who is pregnant with her first child, will be made a knight of the order of arts and letters at a ceremony in New Delhi. She is to be be honoured on Wednesday for her work promoting cinema links between India and France

The award, on the eve of France`s national day, was "a recognition of her contribution to the world of cinema and to the development of Franco-Indian co-operation in the film industry", the embassy said.

Rai Bachchan, who won the Miss World title in 1994, has starred in more than 40 Hindi-language films and a number of English-language films, including the Steve Martin remake of the "Pink Panther" classics.

She is married to leading actor and producer Abhishek Bachchan, 35, whose father Amitabh, is one of Bollywood`s biggest stars.

France`s Ambassador to India Jerome Bonnafont will present the honour, with many of Rai Bachchan`s family expected to be present.