Move over David Beckham - Shah Rukh Khan is here!That's what the famous wax museum Madame Tussads seemed to be saying as the statues of internationally famous English footballer David Beckham and his wife Victoria were move from their prime spot to be replaced with SRK
SRK's statue is in good company though. You won't be seeing him mingling with the top Bollywood brass of Amitabh Bachchan or former Miss Universe Aishwarya Rai; no, he now rubs shoulders with Hollywood hotshots. His statue is in a special enclosure where it faces Jennifer Lopez and is near those of Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt. Will Smith flanks him on his left and is his nearest neighbour, while John Travolta is another esteemed neighbour.
It seems he stands in a place fit for a king, as Khan's space is bigger than even those of Hollywood stars. The enclosure has been specially created for his statue and includes a plasma television, which will run a 50-minute audio-visual on SRK and a huge poster from Don serves as a backdrop.
Shah Rukh, with wife Gauri, flew into London for the unveiling of his effigy. Tussauds gave Shah Rukh a grand reception at the event that had a desi feel to it with things such as Bhangra music and a garland. The proud duo posed next to his wax statue, which is strikingly like King Khan, thanks to the precise measurements of his physical features taken earlier this year.
As a part of the promotions, Madame Tussauds designed a Bollywood-style poster that said, "Shah Rukh Khan stars in Madame Tussauds". Visitors had a chance to get their personalised copy of the poster, after being photographed with the actor - well, with the statue of the actor.
In addition, the 50-minute biopic showcasing Khan's journey to stardom had its first screening following the unveiling of the statue.
Also, the museum's library has stocked his pictorial biography Still Reading Khan.
All in awe of King Khan.
"I feel like Miss World or Miss Universe, I am so happy!" Shah Rukh beamed, when he unveiled his duplicate at Madame Tussauds in London.
Amitabh Bachchan's wax statue is reportedly viewed by 25 lakh visitors to the museum every year, "one of the top three most viewed" by visitors. With this in mind, Khan was asked whether his debut would change this equation in the museum's popularity charts.
"I have never been someone to calculate numbers," Khan replied, adding, "telephones have numbers, not actors."
When the megastar was asked if he was following in Bachchan's footsteps, again, he replied, "I don't want to sound pompous and self-centred but I came from Delhi and in the last 18 years I have come a long way. Please don't take it away from me."
Asked if the waxwork an accurate replica of him in every department, Shah Rukh smiled and quipped, "I have not seen it without its clothes, so I do not know!"
The 41-year-old star dedicated the statue to his mother, who always believed her son would be honoured in the waxwork hall of fame.
"Very thrilling, very fulfilling and, uh, quite stunning and it was all very nice because it's a mother's desire that I was here, so I miss her, so I feel a little sad also. I wish she was here physically, she would not let anyone else take pictures with the waxwork, she would hog the whole space and, uh, and would have told me that I look very thin - I've lost weight. So, I miss her but I'm just very happy this is happening. I'll make up for it by showing it to my kids." said Shah Rukh somewhat sombrely.
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