Amitabh became the first
Bollywood star to be immortalised in wax at
Madam Tussaud's Wax Museum in June
2000. The powers that be at the museum shortlisted five major stars of
Indian cinema (along with
Madhuri Dixit,
Raj Kapoor,
Shahrukh Khan and
Ashwaria Rai) and left the decision to public vote.
"It's a double first for us. As well as our first Bollywood star, it's the first time we've ever asked the public to chose a Madame Tussaud's subject in our two-hundred year history. We consulted a variety of pundits from film and entertainment magazines to community radio stations to the BBC and the Bollywood insiders at B4U to come up with a representative shortlist."
Diane Moon, spokesperson for Madam Tussaud's.
With more than twice as many votes as his nearest rival, Shahrukh Khan, Amitabh was announced the winner at the first
International Indian Film Awards held the same year in
London. Hundreds of intricate measurements were made and his waxy double made its debut at the museum in early 2001.
source:
www.awaaz-online.co.uk