Madame Tussauds Singapore Unveils Unique Wax Figure of Bollywood Legend Sridevi

SINGAPORE - Media OutReach - 4 September 2019 - Madame Tussauds Singapore, together with Boney Kapoor, Janhvi Kapoor, Khushi Kapoor, today unveiled Sridevi's first and only wax figure crafted in memory of the legendary actress today. The family was joined by Sridevi's closest relatives -- her sister Srilatha Yanger, brother-in-law Sanjay Ramaswamy and Boney Kapoor's brother; actor and producer, Sanjay Kapoor -- as well as Noreen Khan from the International Indian Film Academy Awards (IIFA) and other distinguished guests from India and overseas.

Mr. Boney Kapoor leaving a message on the Sridevi memorial wall at Madame Tussaud's Singapore

Janhvi Kapoor perusing her mother, Sridevi's wax figure at Madame Tussaud's Singapore

Khushi Kapoor, Boney Kapoor and Janhvi Kapoor at the unveiling of Sridevi's wax figure at Madame Tussaud's Singapore 

Close friends and family at Madame Tussaud's Singapore's unveiling of Sridevi's wax figure, including Sridevi's sister, Sreelatha Sanjay (second from left) and niece, Asmitha S. Ramaswamy (first from left)

The unveiling took place in the Ultimate Film Star Experience (UFSE) zone, where the exclusive figure took pride of place in front of a special memorial wall backdrop, containing tribute messages from Sridevi's fans from all over the world. After the launch, Sridevi's figure will join other Bollywood stars in the UFSE zone in her dedicated Mr. India movie poster set, where visitors of Madame Tussauds Singapore can leave messages on the memorial wall next to the set.

Her wax figure is based on a still from her iconic performance of the song "Hawa Hawai" from the movie Mr. India. A cult classic, Mr. India holds special meaning for Sridevi and her family as the film was produced by her husband Boney Kapoor.  The movie was the second highest-grossing Indian film in 1987 and remains hugely popular 32 years on.

Fans posing with Sridevi's wax figure on the Mr. India movie poster set in Madame Tussauds Singapore

"Together with Madame Tussauds Singapore, we chose her iconic pose from the song 'Hawa Hawai'. This holds special meaning as it was also what she sang at her first live stage performance at Hope '86 in Mumbai and Calcutta. There have been numerous cover versions of the song in various films but none of them have come anywhere close to her performance. 'Hawa Hawai' has a special place in the hearts of our family and her millions of fans," says Boney Kapoor.

Apart from Sridevi's dedicated family, the launch event was also supported by Lavania Hajji and her team from Dance Embassy, as well as the International Indian Film Academy Awards. Andre Timmins, the Founder and Director of IIFA said, "This is a truly special moment to be honouring the legacy of the late Sridevi who has always been a close friend of IIFA and supported us over the years as an award-winning performer.  This is a wonderful opportunity for fans around the world to see her at Madame Tussauds Singapore and continue celebrating their love and adoration for her."

"We are honoured to have Sridevi's first and only figure joining our Ultimate Film Star Experience (UFSE). The occasion is made extra special with Sridevi's family with us for the unveiling. We thank them for their time and effort in collaborating with us," said Alex Ward, General Manager of Madame Tussauds Singapore. "With such an important addition to the UFSE, we look forward to welcoming more fans from around the world as we also continue to add more exclusive celebrity content to the zone." 

The newly launched UFSE spanning 2,500 sq ft, brings guests on a journey through the glitz and glamour of Indian cinema culture from the moment they step through the doors. The world's largest celebration of Indian superstars, this unique experience utilises cutting-edge technology like Kinect and AR to give visitors the chance to be part of the limelight: https://youtu.be/EmLdC8Vhzq4

About Madame Tussauds

Madame Tussauds is the ultimate celebrity experience and the world's best known and most popular wax attraction. There are currently 24 Madame Tussauds attractions around the world.  Each of the attractions is unique and tailored to the host city and visitor demographic to feature both local as well as international figures. These attractions are continually endorsed by celebrities, sports stars, royalty and global politicians.

Founded in London in 1835, Madame Tussauds' amazing wax figures are so high quality and so lifelike that even the celebrities themselves do a double take when they see them -- and all in stunning interactive themed sets designed to excite, amaze, and surprise, including some with unique animated features! And, with no bars, ropes or barriers around the figures, visitors will have no problem believing that they really are standing beside their heroes and the photographs taken with favourite stars will be a special memory for ever.

The result of 200 years of expertise and painstaking research every figure takes Madame Tussauds' gifted sculptors a minimum of three months to make, and costs more than $300K (Singapore dollars). Most contemporary figures are also produced following sittings with the celebrities themselves and are the result of hundreds of separate measurements, hours matching skin tone, eye and hair colour -- with every individual hair inserted separately. Celebrities and film studio wardrobe departments often supply clothing for their figures, or designers will reproduce significant or iconic outfits as exact replicas, only for Madame Tussauds. Inclusion in one of Madame Tussauds attractions around the world is seen as a huge honour and recognition of an individual's contribution, status and achievement.

About Merlin Entertainments plc

MERLIN ENTERTAINMENTS plc is the leading name in location-based, family entertainment. Europe's Number 1 and the world's second-largest visitor attraction operator, Merlin now operates more than 110 attractions, hotels and holiday villages in 23 countries and across 4 continents. The company aims to deliver memorable and rewarding experiences to its almost 63 million visitors worldwide, through its iconic global and local brands, and the commitment and passion of its managers and 26,000 employees (peak season). 

Merlin currently has different brands in Asia including Madame Tussauds, LEGOLAND Parks and Resorts, SEA LIFE and LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Visit http://www.merlinentertainments.biz/ for more information.