Aishwarya Rai and several other film personalities attended a reception at Cannes to celebrate Indian films and their contribution to international cinema.

The actress, who is a member of the Cannes film festival jury, was the star at the reception hosted by the IN Network of the Hinduja Group.

India's Ambassador to France Savitri Kunadi, Planning Commission member Nand Kishore Singh, members of the Confederation of Indian Industry, and leading film financiers, exhibitors and distributors also attended the reception.

Ramkrishan P Hinduja, co-chairman of Hinduja TMT Limited, said, "India, the largest producer of films in the world, has uniquely achieved the success of influencing multiracial and multicultural understanding not only amongst its own people, but also among its neighbours and with other ethnic markets.

"Today, the Indian government can be proud of and build on this to make use of our celebrities, including Aishwarya Rai, as ambassadors to help promote better multicultural understanding and reduce misery and conflict as entertainment has no language, cast or creed and transcends all barriers."

Rai hoped she would be able to live up to the expectations of her countrymen.