Speaking to the audience before the screening on Tuesday, an enthused 84-year-old Dev Anand said: "This recognition will spur me on to greater things. It will inspire me to make better and bigger films. Don't be surprised if I am back here next year with a film in the Competition."

Thunderous applause greeted the statement of the legendary Bollywood actor.

Representing the Cannes Film Festival, Christian Jeune, who is the official selector of Indian films for the festival, introduced the star of the film to the audience and went on to express regret that no Indian film has been in the festival's official selection for years.

"I know there is deepening concern in India that no film from that country has been making it to Cannes in recent years," Jeune said.

"But let me assure you that situation is poised to change very soon. The films I saw in India this time were very encouraging. Hopefully, India will be in Competition next year." Thanking the audience for turning up to watch a film in another era and another country, Dev Anand said: "For over 40 years, this film has brought me great laurels. It has been very well received wherever and whenever it has been screened. But this is the climactic moment of its journey. The screening of Guide in the Cannes Classics section is a matter of pride and honour for me and for all filmmakers in India."

The print of the 1966 superhit Guide has been upgraded to the wide-screen format with six-track digital Dolby sound.

The veteran actor-director-producer recalled the immense contribution of his "younger brother Vijay Anand" to the realisation of this dream.

"Vijay was an emotional and creative part of this project. He should have been here today to savour this wonderful moment," he said.

The evergreen actor said he would continue to make films as long as he could because he still found the medium very exciting. "The more films you make, the better you become," he said.