The Rabindra Pally Durga Puja in Kolkata has brought a slice of Madame Tussauds to the city.
Mahatma Gandhi will rub shoulders with Saddam Hussein and Dalai Lama in Kolkata this festive season.
The Rabindra Pally Durga Puja in south Kolkata's Baghajatin has brought a slice of Madame Tussauds to the city as a treat for those who haven't been able to go to London. "We always try and do themes about places people want to go to for a holiday but can't always afford to," said Uttam Saha, organizer of the puja.
"Last time we had done the seven wonders of the world, before that Niagra Falls, and people loved it. This time too, they are sure to queue up," he added.
The puja organisers have also created a "selfie zone" to manage crowds who are sure to surge in to click pictures on their cell phones with the celebrities. "Good idea," said an early visitor to the mini Madame Tussauds. "I will never get a chance to get a selfie with Brad Pitt or Madonna."
But selfie with celebrity statues only? What about Goddess Durga? Lopamudra is taken aback. "Oh, of course the goddess also," she smiles.
Indeed, that's one of the organisers' concerns too. That the fiberglass stars may deflect attention from the deity. But anything to draw the crowds to the pandal.
One nagging question, however, is, are the celebrities recognisable? Not all of them, even the staunchest supporters of the idea admit.
"Its okay," said Pragnan, a class 7 student, "Madame Tussauds has specialists to make statues. This artist is from Nadia, has not training but I think he has done a good job. The idea counts."
Indeed, artist Sujit Ghosh is undaunted and has his own favourite. Believe it or not, Arnold Schwarzenegger. Imitation, he believes, is the best form of flattery.