Regal to make way for Tussauds wax museum

The sun will soon set on Delhi’s iconic Regal cinema in Connaught Place to make way for a modern global landmark —  Madame Tussauds wax museum.

According to Delhi Tourism Minister Kapil Mishra, the Indian chapter of London headquartered  museum — famous for its life-size wax statues of celebrities — is most likely to be based in the Regal cinema premises. “We have identified Regal as a probable location for the wax museum and informed them,” Mishra said.  

The new museum is likely to be ready by 2017.

Mishra said Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal would also join the list of Indian celebrities who already feature in Madame Tussauds museums based in 20 global cities. 

Apart from Kejriwal, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is also likely to be a new addition to the museum’s Indian attractions, including Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi, former prime minister Indira Gandhi, Bollywood actors Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Aishwarya Rai, Kareena Kapoor, Madhuri Dixit, Hrithik Roshan and cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar.

Mishra said talks with the Indian partner of the museum are still on and Regal building seemed to be emerging the most suitable location.

Sources quoting the Indian partner of Merlin Entertainments, the owners of the iconic wax museums, said the Delhi museum is likely to open in early 2017 and coincide with India-UK Year of Culture to mark 70th anniversary of India’s Independence.

The museum owners plan to invest $76m in India in the next 10 years to bring other attractions such as Sea Life aquariums and Legoland Discovery Centres to Indian cities, according to a statement on the website.

The globally acclaimed museum was first launched in London in 1835.

Mishra said the wax museum would add to the tourist attractions in the city which, as compared to other global cities, has a poor reputation of retaining tourists for just about two days.

Sources said the government would only serve as a facilitator and the owners of the museum are likely to arrange for the building on its own.

The Regal cinema was built in 1932 and was designed by a British architect.

Earlier visited by Bollywood stars of yester years, the theatre also hosted patrons like Jawaharlal Nehru, Rajendra  Prasad and Indira Gandhi.

Over the years, the cinema’s popularity has dipped as its competitors in Connaught Place have opted for makeovers involving multi-screens and shopping arcades.