The Guinness World Record holder for the longest fingernails ever on a single hand has had them cut after 66 years.

Shridhar Chillal’s extraordinarily long nails have now gone on display at the Ripley’s Believe It or Not! museum in New York.

The 82-year-old’s nails have a combined measurement of 909.6cm, about the height of a three-story building.

Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Times Square unveiled the fingernail exhibit of Mr. Shridhar Chillal of Pune, India, who had not cut his nails since 1952.

Ripley’s flew Mr. Chillal from India to the United States to cut his nails and forever memorialize them in Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Times Square.

Mr. Chillal decided to grow his nails when he was scolded by his school teacher as a result of accidentally breaking the teacher’s long nail. The teacher said that Chillal would never understand the importance of what he had done because Chillal had never committed to anything. “I took it as a challenge,” said Chillal, and there was no looking back.

“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. While he may have cut his fingernails, his nails will be forever memorialized inside Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Times Square.” Suzanne Smagala-Potts, PR Manager, Ripley’s Believe It or Not!

Mr. Chillal’s unusual choice didn’t stop him from leading a normal and happy life. He married, has two children, three grandchildren, and enjoyed a successful career as a Government Press Photographer.

However, as he aged, his long nails were proving more challenging to maintain an ordinary lifestyle. He found it difficult to sleep, and even a gust of wind was cause for alarm.

He only grew the nails on his left hand. His right hand’s nails are trimmed. Due to years of growing his nails and the weight of the nails, his hand is permanently handicapped. He cannot open his hand from a closed position or flex his fingers.