By IANS,
London : Having flown over 14,000 km to Mumbai and back, a wax figure of batting legend Sachin Tendulkar finally made its debut Friday at Madame Tussauds museum in London.
The world famous tourist attraction took the figure to India for a face-to-face meeting with the real ‘master blaster’ last week before unveiling it Friday.
The figure took centre stage in the interactive sports zone on the cricketer’s 36th birthday.
Tendulkar was amazed by the likeness when he saw the figure.
“It was so real, it was fantastic! I’m glad it doesn’t breathe,” he commented on his first encounter with the stunningly accurate sculpture which took over three months to create.
Liz Edwards, PR manager at Madame Tussauds London, who accompanied the figure on its journey said: “It was an electric moment when the two Tendulkars came face-to-face and both Sachin and his family were absolutely delighted.
“We’re pleased to be marking his 36th birthday by ‘inaugurating’ his figure into the attraction in London; we know it is going to be a huge hit with fans and hope Sachin will visit us here soon.”
Tendulkar follows in the celebrity footsteps of Bollywood giants Amitabh Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai, Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan and will join other cricket legends Brian Lara and Shane Warne to become the first Indian sports personality to be portrayed at Madame Tussauds.
Sachin could not attend the London event as he is playing in the Indian Premier League tournament in South Africa.