Film-maker Yash Chopra says underworld money is no longer used in Bollywood, but accepts extortion calls are still received.

''No underworld money is involved in Bollywood... not even one per cent, '' Mr Chopra told a press conference after receiving the 'Legion d'Honneur'-- the highest French civilian award-- from French Ambassador Jerome Bonnafont last evening.

To support his claim, he said there were 7-8 big corporate houses that finance films. Banks, by law, were also permitted to finance films.

''So no film is stopped for lack of finance, '' he said and added that the financing of Indian films by the underworld was a thing of the past.

He, however, did not rule out extortion calls from the mafia.

''Extortion calls have not been wiped out... Crime is there all over the world.... That chapter will go on, '' he said.