Bollywood superstar to be immortalised in Singapore and London in 2020

SINGAPORE - Media OutReach - 20^thSeptember 2019 - Last night, Bollywood superstar Ranveer Singh walked awayfrom the 20th International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Awards with two newaccolades under his belt and the exciting announcement that he will join MadameTussauds' superstar line-up next year.

Best known for his roles in filmsincluding Padmaavat and most recently Gully Boy, the Forbes India Celebrity 100 regularwalked away with the Best Actor gong and Madame Tussauds of the Future Award.Adding to the night's significance, the IIFA's glittering Homecoming Edition event which marked the illustrious awardsceremony's 20^th year, took place in Ranveer's hometown of Mumbai.

A star-studded audience of Indiancinema's top talent -- including Salman Khan, Karan Johar, Madhuri Dixit andDeepika Padukone -- was there to see Ranveer accept his award and announce hisupcoming figure.

"Wow, I'm damn excited.This is amazing. I remember as a kid I used to be an encyclopaedia geek andthey used to talk about this mythical place called Madame Tussauds. I was goingthrough my Mum's early pictures and I would say, 'Mum, where did you get apicture with The Queen?' and she would say, 'that's in Madame Tussauds London.'Since childhood it's always been a very mythical place for me so to beimmortalised as a figure there is truly a very, very proud thing for me." said Ranveer, upon accepting the Madame Tussauds of the FutureAward.

Andre Timmins, Co-Founder-Director- WizcraftInternational, said, "IIFA hasalways been at the forefront in promoting Indian cinema in various facets andhas always endeavored to act in the best interest of the Indian Film Industryto build better avenues for community engagement, cultural exchange, businessand trade, tourism and cinema ties. For our homecoming edition wecelebrate another successful year for IIFA and Indian cinema we are sure thatit will be Magical memorable experience for all."  

IIFA Awards and Madame TussaudsSingapore have been collaborating since 2017 when the IIFA zone was launchedexclusively at the Singapore attraction. Since then many icons of Indian Cinemahave launched their figure and a new interactive zone 'The Ultimate Film StarExperience', opened in 2019 at Madame Tussauds Singapore.

 "It is atremendous honour to establish a fruitful partnership with IIFA all theseyears. We are definitely looking forward to having Ranveer Singh's figure jointhe rest of the stars such as Salman Khan, Karan Johar, Shahid Kapoor andMadhuri Dixit at our new Ultimate Film Star Experience -- the world's largestfigure collection of Indian superstars.", said Alex Ward, General Managerof Madame Tussauds Singapore.

The newly launched UFSE spanning2,500 sq ft, brings guests on a journey through the glitz and glamour of Indiancinema culture from the moment they step through the door, where they can audition, act and dance alongsidetheir favourite movie heroes. The unique experience utilises cutting-edgetechnology like Kinect and AR to give visitors the chance to step into thelimelight: https://youtu.be/EmLdC8Vhzq4

About Madame Tussauds

MadameTussauds is the ultimate celebrity experience and the world's best known andmost popular wax attraction. There are currently 24 Madame Tussauds attractionsaround the world.  Each of theattractions is unique and tailored to the host city and visitor demographic tofeature both local as well as international figures. These attractions arecontinually endorsed by celebrities, sports stars, royalty and globalpoliticians.

Foundedin London in 1835, Madame Tussauds' amazing wax figures are so high quality andso lifelike that even the celebrities themselves do a double take when they seethem -- and all in stunning interactive themed sets designed to excite, amaze,and surprise, including some with unique animated features! And, with no bars,ropes or barriers around the figures, visitors will have no problem believingthat they really are standing beside their heroes and the photographs takenwith favourite stars will be a special memory for ever.

Theresult of 200 years of expertise and painstaking research every figure takesMadame Tussauds' gifted sculptors a minimum of three months to make, and costsmore than $300K (Singapore dollars). Most contemporary figures are alsoproduced following sittings with the celebrities themselves and are the resultof hundreds of separate measurements, hours matching skin tone, eye and haircolour -- with every individual hair inserted separately. Celebrities and filmstudio wardrobe departments often supply clothing for their figures, ordesigners will reproduce significant or iconic outfits as exact replicas, onlyfor Madame Tussauds. Inclusion in one of Madame Tussauds attractions around theworld is seen as a huge honour and recognition of an individual's contribution,status and achievement.

About Merlin Entertainments plc

MERLIN ENTERTAINMENTS plc is the leading name inlocation-based, family entertainment. Europe's Number 1 and the world'ssecond-largest visitor attraction operator, Merlin now operates more than 110attractions, hotels and holiday villages in 23 countries and across 4continents. The company aims to deliver memorable and rewarding experiences toits almost 63 million visitors worldwide, through its iconic global and localbrands, and the commitment and passion of its managers and 26,000 employees(peak season). 

Merlin currently has different brands in Asiaincluding Madame Tussauds, LEGOLAND Parks and Resorts, Sealife and LEGOLANDDiscovery Centre Visit https://www.merlinentertainments.biz/ for more information.