Sabu Dastagir was an iconic Indian-American actor who left an indelible mark on Hollywood’s Golden Age. Hailing from a small village, Karapura, Mysore, India, to be inducted into the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1960, Sabu’s journey to stardom is nothing short of a cinematic fairy tale.
Sabu Dastgir, born Selar Sabu on January 27, 1924, in Karapura, Mysore. He was the son of an elephant driver (mahout) in the service of the Maharajah of Mysore. Sabu’s early life was marked by poverty and hardship, but his familiarity with elephants from a young age would later play a pivotal role in his acting career.
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Sabu’s journey to stardom began when he was discovered by documentary filmmaker Robert Flaherty at the age of 13. Flaherty cast him in the role of an elephant driver in the 1937 British film “Elephant Boy,” adapted from Rudyard Kipling’s story “Toomai of the Elephants.” The film was a success, and Sabu’s natural charm and talent caught the attention of producer Alexander Korda, who signed him to a contract.
Sabu played Mowgli in this adaptation of Rudyard Kipling’s classic tale “The Jungle Book (1942),” produced by Alexander Korda. His portrayal of the boy raised by wolves was widely praised. Sabu’s role as Abu, the thief, in the fantasy adventure classic “The Thief of Bagdad (1940),” is one of his most iconic performances.
Sabu’s career spanned over two decades, featuring memorable performances in classics like “The Drum (1938)”, Arabian Nights (1942), The End of the River (1947), and Man-Eater of Kumaon (1949).
His other notable films include White Savage (1943), Cobra Woman (1944), Tangier (1944), Black Narcissus (1947), Song of India (1949), Savage Drums (1951), Hello Elephant (1952), The Treasure of Bengal (1954), Jaguar (1956), Jungle Hell (1956), Sabu and the Magic Ring (1957), and Mistress of the World (1960). His on-screen presence, characterised by a genuine innocence and athleticism, endeared him to audiences worldwide. Beyond his cinematic achievements, Sabu’s story is a testament to breaking cultural barriers and paving the way for diverse representation in the film industry.
Sabu played Talib in the adventure film Rampage (1963), which was one of his last roles before his untimely death. Norman Tokar’s A Tiger Walks (1964), where he had a supporting role, was released posthumously.
After becoming an American citizen in 1944, Sabu served in the United States Army Air Forces during World War II and served as a tail gunner and ball-turret gunner on B-24 Liberators. He flew numerous missions and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his valour.
On 19 October 1948, Sabu married actress Marilyn Cooper and had two children: singer, songwriter, producer, and guitarist Paul Sabu and Jasmine Sabu, an animal trainer.
Despite appearing to be in peak physical condition, Sabu died of a heart attack on December 2, 1963, at the age of 39. His sudden death was a shock to his family and fans.
Sabu was one of the first Indian actors to achieve international fame, paving the way for future generations of Indian actors in Hollywood. Sabu Dastagir’s legacy lives on as a trailblazer, a symbol of cross-cultural collaboration.
