Agencies      
 
NEW DELHI, Jan 28: Superstar Amitabh Bachchan was on Saturday night honoured with France's highest civilian award Legion d'Honneur at a glittering ceremony at the French Embassy in New Delhi.   

Ambassador of France to India Dominique Girard presented the award to Bachchan in the presence of his wife Jaya, son Abhishek and daughter-in-law-to-be Aishwarya Rai.

"This is to mark his achievements spanning an illustrious period," the diplomat said, adding that Bachchan was given the award for his "contribution to Indian and international culture."   

Speaking on the occasion, Bachchan said it was an honour that he accepted on behalf of the whole of Indian cinema.

"It is an honour which fills me with great pride. It is rather a recognition of manifold achievements of Indian cinema, that I am part of," he said.

Established in 1802, the Legion d'Honneur is conferred on French citizens and foreigners for outstanding achievements in either culture, science, industry or the military.   

A film 'March of the Penguins', directed by French director Luc Jacquet, for which Bachchan has given a Hindi voice over was also screened on the occasion.