The first Indian to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Sabu Dastagir was an iconic actor who left an indelible mark on Hollywood’s Golden Age. He hailed from a small village, Karapura, Mysore, Sabu’s journey to stardom is nothing short of a cinematic fairy tale.
Early life
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 grew up in hardship, but his familiarity with elephants from a young age would later play a pivotal role in his acting career.
Discovery of Sabu
Documentary filmmaker Robert Flaherty discovered Sabu at the age of 13. He had a special ability to control the elephants, which impressed Flaherty. He cast Sabu in the role of an elephant driver in the 1937 British film “Elephant Boy.” It was an adaptation of Rudyard Kipling’s story “Toomai of the Elephants.” The film was a crtical and commercial success. Sabu’s natural charm and talent caught the attention of producer Alexander Korda, who signed him to a contract.
In 1940, Sabu was cast as Abu, the thief, in the fantasy adventure classic “The Thief of Bagdad (1940).” His role in the film Remains is one of his most iconic performances. Sabu played Mowgli in this adaptation of Rudyard Kipling’s classic tale “The Jungle Book (1942),” produced by Alexander Korda. He portrayed the boy raised by wolves to immense acclaim.
Stardom Of Sabu Dastagir
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, characterized 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.
A War Veteran
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.
Untimely Demise
On 19 October 1948, Sabu married actress Marilyn Cooper. Together, they had two children: singer, songwriter, producer, and guitarist Paul Sabu and Jasmine Sabu, an animal trainer.
Despite appearing to be in peak physical condition, he never faced any health problems in his life. His sudden death on Dec 2, 1963, after a heart attack was a shock to his family and fans. He was only 39 years old at the time.
Sabu Dastagir was one of the first Indian actors to achieve international fame, paving the way for future generations. His legacy lives on as a trailblazer, a symbol of cross-cultural collaboration.
Sabu Dastagir on IMDB
