Ahmed Helmy Gets Wax Figure at Madame Tussauds
Egyptian actor Ahmed Helmy is the first Arab star featured in the Madame Tussauds Dubai collection.
Updated on Nov. 7, 2026 in Middle East
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Egyptian actor Ahmed Helmy had his wax figure unveiled at Madame Tussauds Dubai on November 7, with actress Mona Zaki attending the celebration. Helmy is also returning to cinema with the film Hadouta, set to release in Egyptian cinemas on November 11.
Why it matters
The unveiling makes Helmy the first Arab actor in the Madame Tussauds Dubai collection, which marks the museum's first expansion into the Middle East. It also signals Helmy's comeback to film after a four-year absence.
The Madame Tussauds Dubai museum holds between 60 and 70 wax figures and opened in October 2021, serving as the brand's first Middle East location. Hadouta is scheduled for Egyptian cinemas on November 11, 2026, after Helmy's four-year break from film.
The players
Ahmed Helmy
Egyptian actor and film star whose wax figure joins the Madame Tussauds Dubai collection and who returns to cinema in Hadouta.
Mona Zaki
Egyptian actress who attended the wax figure celebration with Helmy.
The details
Helmy's wax figure was unveiled in Dubai in a celebration attended by Mona Zaki. In Hadouta, written by Ahmed Abdel-Rahman and directed by Mazen Ashraf, Helmy plays a 40-year-old criminal who cannot recall where he hid a kidnapped witness, and must consult a hypnotherapist and confront old enemies to regain his memory.
Timeline
October 2021: Madame Tussauds Dubai museum opened.
November 7, 2026: Helmy's wax figure unveiled in Dubai.
November 11, 2026: Hadouta releases in Egyptian cinemas.
Industry Dynamics
The Dubai unveiling continues Madame Tussauds' push beyond its traditional European and North American base, with the Dubai museum serving as its first Middle East location since opening in 2021. Helmy's selection as the first Arab star in the collection reflects the museum's effort to add regional celebrities to its international lineup.
Travelers planning a visit to Dubai can add Madame Tussauds Dubai to their itinerary to see the 60 to 70 wax figures on display, including the new Helmy figure. Film fans in Egypt can plan to see Hadouta in cinemas starting November 11.
The takeaway
The addition of Ahmed Helmy shows how Madame Tussauds Dubai is widening its collection to include Arab celebrities, giving regional audiences figures representing their own stars. For travelers, the museum offers a regional stop that reflects local cultural figures alongside international personalities.
What happens next
Hadouta is scheduled to release in Egyptian cinemas on November 11, 2026.
Further reading
For more on the region, explore Middle East travel coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Egypt Independent.
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