When news broke that Deepika Padukone had been selected for a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (Class of 2026), excitement swept across Indian and global media. Headlines celebrated her as the first Indian to receive such an honour. But that’s not entirely accurate.
More than six decades ago, Sabu Dastagir, a teenage boy from Mysore, received his star—quietly and without the modern fanfare of digital celebration.
Born in 1924 to a mahout in the Mysore region, Sabu’s entry into film was as cinematic as his roles. At the age of 13, he was discovered by American filmmaker Robert Flaherty and cast in Elephant Boy (1937), adapted from Kipling’s Toomai of the Elephants. The success of that film launched him into Hollywood stardom.
In the 1930s and 1940s, Sabu headlined a series of fantasy-adventure films: The Thief of Bagdad, The Jungle Book (1942), Arabian Nights, Cobra Woman, and The Drum. He was one of the few non-white actors in leading roles during Hollywood’s golden age, known as much for his authenticity as for his charisma.
Becoming a U.S. citizen in 1944, Sabu served as a tail gunner during World War II and received the Distinguished Flying Cross for bravery.
His acting opportunities declined post-war, largely due to the industry’s systemic biases. Despite his global fame, Sabu never worked in Indian cinema, though he was once considered for Mother India (1957). He died of a heart attack at just 39.
While Deepika is now making history as the first Indian actress to be honoured, Sabu Dastagir remains the true pioneer. His legacy, too long overlooked, deserves the spotlight once more.
