After leaving millions of people awestruck by their presence in different countries, the world-famous wax museum, Madame Tussauds is set to open in the heart of the national capital this June. Wax statues of more than 50 celebrities from varied fields of sports, music, films and television and other leaders will find their place on the first and second floor of the Regal Cinema Complex in Connaught Place, which once housed the famous Standard Restaurant. Some of the popular names who have made to the list are Bollywood's Shahenshah Amitabh Bachchan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, American popstar Lady Gaga as well as master blaster Sachin Tendulkar.
Delhi's Madame Tussauds will be the 23rd grand attraction across the world. Keeping people's preferences in mind, nearly 60 per cent of wax statues will be of local celebrities and the rest, international ones. It will provide a unique experience to the visitors who can capture pictures with the celebrities but also touch and feel them.
UK-based Merlin Entertainments plans to invest 50 million pounds in India over the next decade. In a press conference, Marcel Kloos, Director, New Openings-Europe and emerging markets, Merlin Entertainments, said, “Many asked us why you are planning to set up Madame Tussauds in Delhi and why not in Mumbai; as we all know that the city of Mumbai is also the heart of entertainment and Bollywood dreams. But Madame Tussauds is not just about films. Our wax attractions have personalities from across the world in various professions such as sports, music, films, television and leaders, who have made their mark in the world history, making Delhi the perfect city for showcasing our lifeline wax figures.”
Special attention has been given to maintain the quality of wax figures. Each wax figure costs Rs 1.5 crore. However, the cost of the ticket will be affordable to all classes. Anshul Jain, General Manager and Director, Merlin Entertainment India Pvt Limited in a press conference said, “Since it is number one wax attraction, people from all walks of life would be keen to visit. The ticket cost will be affordable for all classes, be it young as well as old. There will be special prices for school kids as well as groups.”
Madame Tussauds attractions are also based in London, Amsterdam, Bangkok, Beijing, Hollywood and Istanbul, to mention a few. Some of the Indian celebrities whose wax statutes have already made to Tussauds' red carpet are Indira Gandhi, Narendra Modi, Amitabh Bachchan, Mahatma Gandhi, Shah Rukh Khan, Sachin Tendulkar, Aishwarya Rai, Kareena Kapoor and Salman Khan.
