In a city known more for its coal and steel legacy, Asansol quietly witnessed a moment of artistic and cultural brilliance as renowned sculptor Sushanta Roy unveiled what is believed to be India’s first wax statue of astronaut Sunita Williams. The statue was formally inaugurated on Sunday at Roy’s private wax museum housed inside his Sheesh Mahal-style residence.
The unveiling ceremony was graced by State Minister Malay Ghatak and District Magistrate S. Ponnavalam, along with other dignitaries. A large crowd gathered to witness the tribute, many capturing selfies with the newest addition to Roy’s growing constellation of wax icons.
Sushanta Roy, a celebrated figure in the Indian wax sculpting community, described the Sunita Williams statue as one of his most personal and challenging projects to date. Known for his contributions to Kolkata’s Mother Wax Museum and Jaipur’s wax galleries, Roy said this creation stands apart for its symbolism.
“She returned from space after a nine-month battle with isolation and the unknown,” Roy stated. “This statue isn’t just art—it’s a tribute to human resilience, to bravery, and to the power of dreams.”
The NASA challenge: A suit fit for a legend
The project, which took nearly six weeks to sculpt, faced a unique delay—not in craftsmanship, but in costuming. Determined to achieve authenticity, Roy reached out to NASA for a replica of Sunita’s space suit. However, bureaucratic red tape stalled the process.
Eventually, a friend based in the United States helped acquire an accurate suit, completing the statue’s realism. “The outfit had to be right—not just a costume, but accurate in every detail,” Roy explained, stressing his commitment to precision.
Roy’s museum, an opulent Sheesh Mahal built into his own home, is already a sanctuary of national pride. It features hyper-realistic wax figures of Amitabh Bachchan, Lata Mangeshkar, Sushant Singh Rajput, Subhas Chandra Bose, Mamata Banerjee, Shahrukh Khan, and other icons.
But with the addition of Sunita Williams—an astronaut and global role model—the museum ascends to a new orbit of significance.
Dignitaries and public react with awe
District Magistrate S. Ponnavalam, attending the museum for the first time, was visibly moved. “This is stunning. The figures almost breathe. With this statue, Sunita Williams becomes part of Asansol,” he said.
Visitors echoed the sentiment. “He made it perfectly,” one said, eyes wide with admiration. “Sushanta Roy is India’s Michelangelo in wax.”
With Sunita Williams now immortalised in wax under curated lighting, Roy continues to blur the line between artistry and life itself. His Sheesh Mahal doesn’t just reflect faces—it reflects dreams, determination, and the belief that even the stars can be sculpted—if only one dares to dream big enough.