A photo shared on X of the wax statue of popular actor Prabhas in Baahubali (2015 & 2017) avatar installed at the Celebrity Wax Museum in Mysuru went viral with mixed responses, especially with some hilarious comments to look out for.
Some expressed that it looked more like Ram Charan, while many felt it was Australian cricketer David Warner, and few others said it was Hollywood actor Keanu Reeves and whatnot!
In no time, Baahubali producer Shobu Yarlagadda reacted to the viral pic with a post: “This not an officially licensed work and was done without their permission or knowledge. We will be taking immediate steps to get this removed.”
And in no time, the wax statue in question was removed from the celebrity wax museum in Mysuru.
South First exclusively reports on what led to the removal of the wax statue of Prabhas in the Baahubali avatar.
This not an officially licensed work and was done without our permission or knowledge. We will be taking immediate steps to get this removed. https://t.co/1SDRXdgdpi
— Shobu Yarlagadda (@Shobu_) September 25, 2023
Wax statue removed
“The makers of Baahubali film contacted me this morning (26 September) and asked me to remove the wax statue of Prabhas. I was told that I did not have permission to use the character portrayed by Prabhas and the costume. I obliged and removed the statue,” Bhaskar, the proprietor of Chamundeshwari Celebrity Wax Museum, told South First.
Bhaskar said he did ask the person if he could get legal permission to continue to keep it for public display.
“The Baahubali maker noted that Prabhas’ wax statue drew criticism on social media with netizens making negative comments and that it was better for me to remove it from the museum forthwith,” he added.
Also Read: Prabhas: The rise and decline of the ‘Baahubali’ star
Four-year-old Mysuru museum
In fact, the wax statue of Prabhas’s character from Baahubali along with 39 other wax statues has been on display at the museum ever since it was opened to the public in 2018.
Some of the noted personalities whose wax statue features at the Mysuru museum include former deputy prime minister late Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, freedom fighter Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Kannada thespian late Dr Rajkumar, Tamil Superstar Rajinikanth, late Dr Puneeth Rajkumar, Malayalam star Mohan Lal, late Shankar Nag, former president of India late Dr APJ Abdul Kalam.
Historical figures such as Charlie Chaplin, and British comedian Rowan Atkinson are also major attractions at the Chamundeshwari Celebrity Wax Museum.
‘Inspired by Madame Tussads’
Bhaskar shared that it was the Madame Tussauds Museum in London that inspired him to open the Celebrity Wax Museum in Mysuru.
“The main purpose of starting the wax museum was to educate citizens, especially children about the life of historical importance and people who have immensely contributed to the society in their own respective fields,” he noted.
There are around 25 similar wax museums across India and there are seven sculptors who are experts in the making of wax statues in India.
Umesh Shetty, who hails from Uttara Kannada district and is based in Pune, did all the wax statues installed at the Mysuru wax museum.
Asked about the maintenance of the statues, the owner explained that they need to be periodically serviced and any major changes in colour and shape, especially the facial features, require complete replacements.
Bhaskar also revealed that he never had any issues with other wax statues — either with the living personalities whose statues are on display at our museum or with the public.
“Every visitor expressed great joy and satisfaction with the artwork,” he signed off.
