/> "This is for all our ancestors who helped build the British empire," chortles the unstoppable and inmitable Gurinder Chadha who has just won the prestigious OBE (Officer On The Order Of The British Empire).

The Punjabi-British director was in Cannes when she heard about the OBE. " I had no idea this was in store. I was in Cannes for the segment of Paris J'Taime that I had directed about a North African girl and a French boy. It was fabulously received."

Gurinder is delighted, "What really makes my OBE special is that it has been awarded to me for my service to British cinema. That really makes me proud. I've never denied my British side. I've always said it's as strong as my Punjabi side.

I'm told Asian people and people from third-world countries have turned down the OBE earlier. It's seen as an endorsement of the British Establishment. But I'm happy to be seen as part of the British establishment. The OBE is an acknowledgement of the giant strides being taken by communities in Britian from the outside. "

Gurinder of course intends to attend the ceremony before the Queen. "I've missed out on honorary degrees in four universities because I was busy shooting. I just hope it doesn't happen while I'm shooting for Dallas in the US. I've met the principal cast, everything is in place.

I leave for the US to put finishing touches for Dallas. I'll obviously not be in England for the OBE if the schedules clash. That would be a disappointment not just for me but specially my godson Hamish who's a huge royalist. If I do attend the ceremony I'll take Hamish and my husband Paul."

Speaking of her husband the filmmaker Paul Berges, Gurinder is extremely cut up by the scathing reviews for The Mistress Of Spieces. "Why haven't people acknowledged Paul's efforts to do something different? He could've easily made a comedy set in the British Asian community. He chose magic realism. His efforts should be acknowledged."

Gurinder is hopeful that The Mistress Of Spices would do a turn-around in places like South Africa and Australia when it releases there. "Now Paul accompanies me to the US for Dallas. He's an integral part of that project."

In the meanwhile Gurinder plan two comedies set in the British Asian community , one of which Paul might direct. "And none of which will be a sequel to Bend It Like Beckham. I've no intention returning to Beckham."