Madame Tussauds London Introduces Sachin Tendulkar to his new wax Figure

MUMBAI - World famous visitor attraction, Madame Tussauds London, has flown its new wax figure of Sachin Tendulkar over 7,000 kms to Mumbai for a “meeting” with the real cricketing legend. The record breaking “master blaster” is the first Indian sports personality to be portrayed and Tendulkar was delighted to come face to face with his likeness at the Taj Lands End Hotel today.

Sachin Tendulkar said: “I am very impressed with the figure and delighted to be honoured by Madame Tussauds,” commented the renowned batsman.

“It is the first time we have ever launched a figure overseas but we really wanted Sachin to see his likeness before it “meets” the public in the attraction,” said Liz Edwards, PR Manager at Madame Tussauds London. “The figure will now be returning to London to join the ranks of sporting greats past and present in our Sports Zone. There will also be a cricketing challenge around the figure where guests can test their skills against the ‘masterblaster’ and we know it will be a huge hit with fans.”

Tendulkar met with Madame Tussauds sculptors in hometown Mumbai earlier in the year to be measured and photographed for the creation of his figure and donated the cricket whites his striking wax double is wearing. He follows in the famous footsteps of Bollywood giants Amitabh Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan.

The figure was created at Madame Tussauds studios in West London over a three month period. The first step is to craft a perfect clay sculpture from which the moulds are made to make an amazingly life like wax figure. Then it is over to a team of skilled hair and colour artists to insert the hair by hand and build up life like skin tones using layer upon layer of oil paint; every freckle, mole, dimple and wrinkle are accurately reproduced.

Sally Chatterjee, Interim CEO, Visit London said, “London and India share a great passion for cricket and we are delighted that Madame Tussauds has unveiled a figure of Sachin Tendulkar. With the ICC World Twenty20 coming to London this June more cricket fans will have the opportunity to come face to face with one of their sporting heroes.”

Ritushri Dhankher, Press & PR Manager for VisitBritain India said, “Getting your picture clicked with your favourite cricket and Bollywood star has become so much easier now you can buy your Madame Tussauds tickets here before you fly and also pay in rupees with VisitBritain.”

Notes to Editors:

- Madame Tussauds Studios London has been making wax figures for over 150 years. Each masterpiece takes four months, and a team of 20 dedicated sculptors, to create. Over 500 precise body measurements are referenced, real head hairs are inserted one by one, and countless layers of paints and tints are applied to build up skin tones - all to achieve the kind of astonishing realism that has kept Madame Tussauds world renowned for over two centuries. - Madame Tussauds has attractions in London, New York, Las Vegas, Washington D.C., Amsterdam, Berlin, Hong Kong and Shanghai with interactive figures and experiences built around fame and celebrity. In London, guests can get up, close and personal with incredibly lifelike replicas of 21st century stars from the world of film, sports, music and can brave the scariest Chamber Of Horrors yet, complete with actors as bloodthirsty serial killers, take a time-travelling taxi ride through 400 years of amazing London history.

About Visit Britain ;

VisitBritain builds the value of inbound tourism to Britain. All the Britain travel products available with VisitBritain are British government endorsed and can be purchased in rupees and delivered at your doorstep.

About Visit London ;

Visit London is the official visitor organisation for London. A leader in best practice destination marketing, Visit London promotes the UK capital internationally, across Britain and to Londoners targeting leisure and business visitors. Visit London works in partnership with the Mayor of London, the London Development Agency, London Councils and the tourism industry.

Source: Madame Tussauds London

For further information or for images please contact: Suresh Rangarajan/Poonam Nikam, Vaishnavi Corporate Communications, Tel: +91-22-66568713/8715, Email: suresh at vccpl.com, Poonam at vccpl.com, HP: +91-9821611560/+91-9821718954; Liz Edwards, PR Manager, Madame Tussauds London, Tel: +44-7702-505733, Email: liz.edwards at madame-tussauds.com; For clarifications, please call Ritushri Dhankher, Press & PR Manager - India, VisitBritain at +91-9910668238 or email: ritushri.dhanker at visitbritain.org; Media contact, Jacqueline French, jfrench at visitlondon.com, +44-20-7234-5844, India contact - Punam Singh, psingh at visitlondon.com, +91-1129211318