When Deepika Padukone was recently announced as one of the newest inductees into the prestigious Hollywood Walk of Fame, it marked a proud moment for Indian cinema. With her work in international projects like xXx: Return of Xander Cage and her growing global presence, Padukone’s recognition reflects how far Indian actors have come on the world stage. But decades before this, another Indian had already left his mark in Hollywood—Sabu Dastagir. Born in 1925 in Mysore, Sabu began acting in international films as a teenager and quickly rose to fame, becoming one of the earliest Indian-origin stars in global cinema.

First: Who was Sabu Dastagir?

Sabu Dastagir, born in 1925 in Karapur, Mysore (then British India), is widely regarded as one of the earliest Indian-origin actors to gain global attention in Hollywood. Known simply as “Sabu” in the West, his journey from a stable boy in India to a beloved screen presence in both British and American cinema is the stuff of legends. However, while Sabu’s legacy is exceptional, the long-held belief that he was the first Indian to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame isn’t entirely accurate—at least not by today’s standards of national representation.

Sabu made his debut in the British-American film Elephant Boy (1937), which catapulted him into fame at a young age. He followed it up with notable roles in The Drum, The Thief of Bagdad (1940), and Arabian Nights (1942), quickly becoming a teen icon. His charm, screen presence, and acting prowess earned him widespread acclaim, and he was frequently credited for bringing a unique blend of innocence and heroism to the big screen.