The Hollywood star, who recently received the honorary Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival, told the Guardian newspaper: "I still don't see myself as great.

"When you go home and talk to your significant other, believe me, you're not great."

De Niro turns 82 in August, and he's acknowledged that people now look at him "a little different.”

The star shared: "Things change, that's for sure. If you're walking down a couple of stairs, you get people coming to help you. I've realised now I'm older that people look at me a little different. But I'm old, it could be worse.

"I feel pretty good. I'm in control of myself physically. I hope that can last forever. But I know that it won't."

De Niro received the Palme d'Or on the opening night of the Cannes Film Festival.

The veteran film star accepted the prestigious accolade from Leonardo DiCaprio.

During a lengthy tribute to his former co-star, DiCaprio said: "Growing up in Los Angeles, every young actor I knew watched De Niro's work.

"We studied him, trying to understand how he immersed himself so completely in his characters. He created the blueprint. He wasn't just another great actor, he was the actor."

With AAP.