Kolkata opens first wax museum

Get up close and personal with Bollywood stars such as Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan when Kolkata’s first wax museum, modelled on London’s famed Madame Tussauds, opens its doors on November 10.

At its opening, up to 19 life-size wax statues will dot the museum christened ‘Mother’s Wax Museum’ after Mother Teresa. Exhibiting models of historical personalities and luminaries of Indian cinema, it will offer visitors a chance to get themselves photographed with the statue of their choice.

Located in Finance Centre, New Town, it is spread over an area of 5,000 square feet.

Veteran wax sculptor Susanta Ray, who has a smaller wax museum in Asansol in Burdwan district of West Bengal, has crafted 19 statues.

“It will be inaugurated November 10. Initially, 19 statues have been placed and as the demand increases more will come up,” Ray said, refusing to divulge additional details before the opening.

Ray’s repertoire includes wax replicas of President Pranab Mukherjee and cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar which created quite a buzz.

The project has been implemented by the Housing Infrastructure Development Corporation.

Chief minister Mamata Banerjee is to open the museum along with Bachchan and Khan who will be in the city on November 10 for the 20th Kolkata International Film Festival opening ceremony.