Indian star Shah Rukh Khan's wax figure, just revealed at Madame Tussauds Times Square. Photo by Alex Oliveira/startraksphoto.com, courtesy of Gitesh Pandya.
As celebrated Bollywood film star, Shah Rukh Khan (whose latest film My Name is Khan is out on DVD now), made his debut at Madame Tussauds New York Wax Museum in Times Square last week — a part of the museum’s “Bollywood Zone” which includes film legend Amitabh Bachchan — we couldn’t help but wonder, which other Asian and Asian American greats have been immortalized in wax figure by the popular tourist attraction?
Aishwarya Rai, left, with her wax figure likeness.
Seems like, not many.
After some sleuthing, we have found martial arts kings Jackie Chan and Bruce Lee at the Madame Tussauds Hollywood location and a tense-looking Tiger Woods at the Vegas location. And of course there’s Indian film legend Aishwarya Rai in the museum’s London location.
As for rest of the ladies? Fuggetabout it. The closest figurine we spotted even resembling an Asian woman was an eerie Michael Jackson figure made as part of a Jackson tribute at the Washington, D.C. museum.
The wax figure of Michelle Yeoh.
For the rest of us itching to cuddle up with wax figures of Lucy Liu or Michelle Yeoh, we’ll have to travel a bit farther — to a Hong Kong, Shanghai or soon-to-be-opened Bangkok location to get our fix. ‘Cause frankly, putting your arms around an Asian-looking Michael Jackson just doesn’t cut it.
We may have Brangelina, but India’s got Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Bollywood’s reigning acting king and queen. And now the world-famous, real-life couple team up once again with director Mani Ratnam and Oscar and Grammy winning composer A.R. Rahman (Slumdog Millionaire, Guru) in the highly anticipated new feature film Raavan.
Real-life husband and wife team Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Abhishek Bachchan in Raavan.
Described as a modern day version and loose adaptation of the Indian epic Ramayana, Raavan follows Rai Bachchan as Ragini, a classical dancer, who falls in love and marries police officer Dev (played by Tamil actor and playback singer, Vikram). This classic tale of good versus evil pits Dev against Beera Munda (Bachchan), the unlawful tribal leader who is wreaking havoc on Lal Maati, a remote town in Northern India.
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan in Raavan.
Abhishek Bachchan in "Raavan."
Dev, knowing that if he wants to bring order to Lal Maati he must conquer Beera, sets off a chain of events that will ultimately claim lives and change fortunes. Dev, Beera and Ragini come face-to-face in a terrifying jungle where they must also confront their own truths. They embark on a journey that tests their beliefs, convictions and emotions.
A scene from "Raavan."
Check out the trailer here:
Raavan opens worldwide on Friday, June 18.
More photos after the jump, plus photos of the stars at the Cannes Film Festival. Continue Reading »
Internationally renown actress and L’Oreal brand global ambassador Aishwarya Rai makes a stunning entrance at the 63rd Annual International Cannes Film Festival. Don’t you wish you were there?
Bollywood film star Aishwarya Rai in Elie Saab.
If all those cameras in the background freak you out, check out this next view. Gorgeous, sunny South of France. Sigh.
Actress Aishwarya Rai wearing an Emilio Pucci dress on the Martinez Terrace during the 63rd Annual International Cannes Film Festival on May 13, 2010 in Cannes, France. (Photo by Venturelli/WireImage, courtesy of Mercedes Benz Fashion Week)
Photos courtesy of Mercedes Benz Fashion Week.
