Bollywood actress Mallika Sherawat and her partner Cyrille Auxenfans were tear gassed during a botched attempted robbery in Paris, officials said.

The couple were attacked last Friday in the building where Auxenfans lives in the city's 16th arrondissement but the suspected robbers fled empty-handed, according to the Paris prosecutor's office.

Officials said the couple most likely inhaled fumes from the tear gas but chose not to see a doctor to assess any possible injuries.

It is unclear why the suspects fled.

The incident comes six weeks after Kim Kardashian reported being robbed at gunpoint while visiting Paris.

Rising to fame in India in 2003, Sherawat went on to star in a string of high-profile movies including "Myth" with Jackie Chan.

The 40-year-old, who has nearly two million followers on Twitter, is no stranger to France and has graced the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival.