The Longest Nails are Cut after 64 Years

The world’s longest nail holder Shridhar Chillal, who holds the world record for having the longest nails, has finally done away with his most valuable treasures, as he cuts the nails after 64 years. The nails of Shridhar Chillal have also found a place at a prestigious museum in the United States of America. Chillal started growing his nails on his left hand in 1952, after a teacher beat him up for breaking his nail.

The combined length of all his nails are 909.6 cm (9.1 m) and thus Chillal’s name is found a special place in the Guinness Book of World Records for titling ‘Longest Fingernails on a Single Hand Ever’ in the year 2016. Chillal’s longest nail alone is measured the length of 197.8 cm.

82 years old, Shridhar Chillal has expressed his desire to cut his nails and had requested that his precious nails be kept in a museum, accordingly Ripley’s Believe It or Not Museum has responded.

After 64 years, the octogenarian wanted to get rid of the nails that brought him name and fame. But the nails also came with a set of problems. The world record holder had to suffer several problems because of his extraordinarily long nails, which he had grown over the years. 

The difficulties also include some life-changing decisions too, such as difficulty in finding a job and also finding a life partner. As he had to follow precautions every moment in order to maintain the nails. Also because of growing nails over the years, Chillal’s left hand is already handicapped, now he cannot open his hands and play with fingers and he now feels pain in his wrist, elbow, shoulder and all the five fingers on his left arm.

In order to celebrate Chillal’s decision, the Ripley’s Believe It or Not museum also hosted a nail clipping ceremony, where Chillal’s nails were cut on record and preserved for an exhibition. For the ceremony, the Museum specially flew Chillal from Pune, India to the US.

The PR Manager of Ripley’s Believe It or Not, Suzanne Smagala Potts said, “Ripley’s is privileged to display this truly unique and one-of-a-kind exhibit. Mr. Chillal dedicated his life to something truly remarkable and Ripley’s is the perfect home to honor his legacy”. The Museum has a collection of items of over 95 years, started by Robert Ripley and later followed by his corporate heirs.

After cutting the nails, Shridhar Chillal said he is now feeling like a free bird, he said, "I was a little bit scared that my celebrity favor would go now, but after coming here I realize that after this I have become a real celebrity. Now, forever my nails will be remembered and forever my nails will be seen by people from all over the world", he conveyed this message through his interpreter and granddaughter, Shraddha Chillal.

Shridhar Chillal lives in Pune in India along with his wife, two children, and three grandchildren. In spite of his extraordinary long nails, he worked as a press photographer for the Government of India.