Tollywood Stars Shine Globally with Madame Tussauds Wax Statues

The global recognition of Tollywood has taken another significant leap as more Telugu cinema superstars continue to be immortalised in wax at the iconic Madame Tussauds museums across the world. This growing trend not only highlights their international popularity but also reflects the ever-expanding global footprint of the Telugu film industry.

The latest addition to this prestigious list is Ram Charan, who unveiled his wax statue at Madame Tussauds, London. What made the moment even more special was the inclusion of his beloved pet dog, Rhyme. Together, they created history as the only celebrity-pet duo after Queen Elizabeth to be featured at Madame Tussauds. Their statues will be displayed at the Singapore branch. The unveiling was a grand affair attended by Ram Charan’s father, megastar Chiranjeevi, and their entire family.

Earlier in March 2024, Allu Arjun marked another milestone with the unveiling of his wax statue at Madame Tussauds Dubai. Celebrated as ‘the king of dance’, Allu Arjun’s statue donned a red jacket from Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo and struck the signature Thaggede Le pose from Pushpa. Interestingly, Arjun wore the same outfit for the unveiling, making it a striking twin moment. His inclusion underscores the growing fanbase he commands globally, especially after the roaring success of Pushpa.

Mahesh Babu, another Tollywood icon, had his wax statue unveiled in Hyderabad in March 2019, flown in all the way from Singapore a first for any Indian actor. His look was inspired by his film Srimanthudu. The star-studded event was graced by his wife Namrata Shirodkar and their children, Gautham and Sitara, further adding to the emotional value of the occasion.

The trailblazer for this trend, however, was Prabhas. In March 2017, he became the first South Indian actor to be featured at Madame Tussauds, Bangkok. His statue, depicting the iconic Baahubali look, marked a turning point for Tollywood’s international image. The overwhelming success of the Baahubali franchise made Prabhas a household name not just in India, but also in countries like Japan, China, Malaysia, Singapore, and America.

This wave of global recognition through Madame Tussauds reflects not just individual star power but also the collective rise of Telugu cinema on the world stage.