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Bollywood diva Deepika Padukone is in the headlines after the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce's selection panel announced the 2025 inductees in the prestigious Walk of Fame. Deepika, known in the West for appearing in XXX: The Return of Xander Cage, is included in the prestigious list of celebrities who will get a star on the iconic Hollywood Walk of Fame. Soon, media reports hailed that Deepika Padukone is the first Indian to receive an upcoming star. But, the truth is a teenager was the first Indian to receive the honour.
Sabu Dastagir: The First Indian on Hollywood Walk of Fame
Before 2025, the class of the Hollywood Walk of Fame included an Indian name for the first and only time in 1960. It was Mysore-born actor Sabu Dastagir, a forgotten icon of classic cinema. Sabu Dastagir made his Hollywood debut in the 1930s and emerged as a sensation. He was inducted into the Walk of Fame in Hollywood's golden age in 1960, which is over six decades before the Jawan actress would get a star.
About Sabu Dastagir
Sabu Dastagir was born to a mahout family (elephant trainers) in 1920. His journey to Hollywood was no less than a cinematic spectacle. Though he is largely unknown in India, he was a sensation in Hollywood before World War II.
Sabu was selected by American filmmaker Robert Flaherty for 1937's movie 'Elephant Boy', based on a Rudyard Kipling book. Sabu moved to Hollywood in 1938 with the film 'The Drum'. After he starred as Abu in the fantasy adventure film 'The Thief of Baghdad' in 1940. Later, he went on to star in hits like Mowgli, Arabian Nights, White Savage, and Cobra Woman, over the next few years. Though a teenager, Sabu had emerged as one of the most popular non-white actors in Hollywood after starring in some of the biggest fantasy and action films of the era.
Today is the 98th birthday of #SabuDastagir, the first international film star from South Asia. Born as a citizen of Mysore Kingdom, he died at the age of 39 in 1963, as a US citizen, having already imprinted his name on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. pic.twitter.com/D92j5MZ1w8
— Siddegowda Shyam Prasad | ಎಸ್ ಶ್ಯಾಮ್ ಪ್ರಸಾದ್ | (@ShyamSPrasad) January 27, 2022
Sabu became an American citizen in 1944 and joined the US Army. He even fought in World War II. However, that proved to be a turning point in his life. Post-war, he didn't get many offers. In the 50s, he appeared mostly in unsuccessful European films. Later in 1957, Indian filmmaker Mehboob Khan considered Sabu for the lead in Mother India. However, he couldn't obtain the required work permit, and eventually it went to Sunil Dutt. Sabu has never worked in an Indian film.
At the age of 39, he died of a heart attack in 1963.
