Bollywood heartthrob Hrithik Roshan today came face-to-face with his wax figure at Madame Tussuads London.  The star worked closely with the world famous attraction to ensure the pose, which was kept tightly under wraps until today, was spot on.   Fans were delighted when the award winning actor was revealed “Dhoom” style.  In homage to one of his most famous roles, he is portrayed in a short sleeved shirt left wide open to reveal his toned and taut body to full effect. 

Hrithik who was accompanied by parents, father Rakesh Roshan, mother Pinky, grandfather J Om Prakash, wife Sussanne and their two sons, dedicated the honour to his family.

"I am thrilled that my entire family is with me sharing this wonderful moment. More than the wax figure it's a matter of emotions and pride that my family is there to see all this today.  It is made up of what I have received from my parents, grandparents, sister and wife. They have made me what I am. I dedicate this to my family," he said.

The Bollywood star also spoke about the first time he visited Madame Tussauds as a child.

"I was nine years old, holidaying in London with my family when my grandfather and I went to Madame Tussauds. We had to stand in line for 45 minutes and while I was jumping up and down with impatience and excitement, my grandfather waited patiently.

"I even told him that we should go and come back the next day but my grandfather waited till we could enter Madame Tussauds. Today I feel he's like that excited child I was," said the actor. On meeting his double for the first time Hrithik Roshan commented: “I can’t believe I’m here in Madame Tussauds unveiling a wax figure of myself.  It’s incredible just how detailed the figure is”. The star of hit films including Kaho Naa… Pyaar Hai, Dhoom:2, Krrish and Jodha Akbar… is theyoungest male actor from India to be honoured by Madame Tussauds.

Roshan was completely involved in the creation of the figure - attending two sittings in Mumbai and London where sculptors captured a catalogue of reference photographs and hundreds of precise measurements.  Hirthik also donated the red shirt and dark blue jeans his figure is wearing.

The figure took four months to make at a cost of £150,000 and  joins fellow Indian film stars Amitabh Bachan, Aishwarya Rai, Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan in Madame Tussauds special Bollywood area.  To co-incide with the launch of Hrithik’s new figure the area has been given an update with an all new interactive touch screen where guests can watch their favourite dance routine from five Bollywood icons.

Liz Edwards, PR Manager at Madame Tussauds London commented: “We’re delighted to welcome Hrithik (and his family) here today and to be including his figure in our Bollywood area.  It is one of our most popular areas in the entire attraction and we know it’s going to be even more so with Hrithik now featured in the line up.  The pose is so striking it is sure to wow fans and get ladies hearts a flutter.  In fact it has got to be one of the most daring figures we have ever created”.

Guests can get up close and personal with Hrithik from today – 20th January 2010.  Prices for Madame Tussauds London start at £22.40 for adults and children when you book in advance online.  Visit www.madametussauds.com/london   or call the booking line on 0871 894 3000 for further information or to book tickets.

For further information or for images please contact:
Jag Singh on 0207 751 3333 or email jag@mediareach.co.uk

• Other Madame Tussauds London Bollywood/Asian stars are:
• Sachin Tendulkar - 2009
• Salman Khan –2008
• Shah Rukh Khan – 2007
• Aishwarya Rai – 2004
• Amitabh Bachchan – 2003
• Entertainment was provided today by:
• Dancers - Emiko and Krupa Fusion Bollywood
• Traditional Band - The Bollywood Brass Band
• VNR footage is now available to download, please contact Jag Singh or Tania Roy at Media Reach Advertising on 0207 751 3333 or jag@mediareach.co.uk
• Prices to Madame Tussauds are from £22.40 for adults and children (4-15 inclusive) when you pre-book at www.madametussauds.com/london.  Priority access tickets can also be booked on 0871 894 3000.
• Madame Tussauds Studios London has been making wax figures for over 150 years. Each masterpiece takes four months, and a team of 20 dedicated sculptors, to create.  Over 500 precise body measurements are referenced, real head hairs are inserted one by one, and countless layers of paints and tints are applied to build up skin tones - all to achieve the kind of astonishing realism that has kept Madame Tussauds world renowned for over two centuries.
• Madame Tussauds has attractions in London, Hollywood, New York, Las Vegas, Washington D.C., Amsterdam, Berlin, Hong Kong and Shanghai with interactive figures and experiences built around fame and celebrity.  In London, guests can get up close and personal with incredibly lifelike replicas of 21st century stars like Kate Moss, Johnny Depp and Amy Winehouse, brave the scariest Chamber Of Horrors yet, complete with actors as bloodthirsty serial killers and take a time-travelling taxi ride through 400 years of amazing London history.
• The MERLIN ENTERTAINMENTS GROUP is the leading name in location based, family entertainment, which has seen the most successful and dynamic growth of any company in the sector over the last five years.   Europe’s number one, and the world’s second largest visitor attraction operator, Merlin has 62 attractions and 6 hotels in 12 countries, across 3 continents.   The company aims to deliver memorable and rewarding experiences to its 38.5 million visitors worldwide, through its iconic global and local brands, and the commitment and passion of its managers and more than 14,000 employees.   Merlin Entertainments operates the following attractions – SEA LIFE – the world’s No 1 aquarium brand, Madame Tussauds, LEGOLAND, The Merlin Entertainments London Eye, Dungeons, Gardaland, LEGOLAND Discovery Centres, Alton Towers Resort, Warwick Castle, THORPE PARK, Chessington World of Adventures, Heide Park, Underwater Adventures, and Earth Explorer.