Madame Tussauds London Introduces Sachin Tendulkar to his new wax Figure

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 andSalman 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."