Deepika Padukone to Receive Hollywood Walk of Fame Star, But Not the First Indian Star

Deepika Padukone's selection as a recipient of the prestigious Hollywood Walk of Fame star is a significant achievement for an Indian actor in Hollywood. However, this honor has been bestowed upon before, with Sabu Dastagir being the first Indian actor to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1960. Sabu Dastagir, an Indian actor, born in 1924, began his career with American filmmaker Robert Flaherty's 1937 film Elephant Boy, which gave him an exciting start. He went on to work in several fantasy-adventure films, including The Drum (1938), The Thief of Bagdad (1940), Jungle Book (1942), Arabian Nights (1942), and Cobra Woman (1944). Sabu Dastagir obtained US citizenship in 1944 and served in the US Army during World War II.

Key Takeaways:

• Sabu Dastagir was the first Indian actor to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1960, 65 years before Deepika Padukone.
• Deepika Padukone's selection as a recipient of the prestigious Hollywood Walk of Fame star is a significant achievement for an Indian actor in Hollywood.
• Sabu Dastagir was born in 1924 in Mysore to a mahout (elephant trainer) and worked in several fantasy-adventure films, including The Drum (1938), The Thief of Bagdad (1940), Jungle Book (1942), Arabian Nights (1942), and Cobra Woman (1944).
• Sabu Dastagir obtained US citizenship in 1944 and served in the US Army during World War II.
• He was in contention to play the lead role in Mother India (1957), but lost the opportunity due to visa troubles.
• Sabu Dastagir passed away at the age of 39 in 1963.
• He was the first Indian star in Hollywood who achieved superstardom at a time when non-whites were looked down upon in America.
• Sabu Dastagir was a household name in Hollywood during the 1930s and 1940s, but failed to maintain his stardom post-World War II.

Statistics:

• 1937: Sabu Dastagir made his debut with American filmmaker Robert Flaherty's film Elephant Boy.
• 1940: Sabu Dastagir worked in the fantasy-adventure film The Thief of Bagdad.
• 1942: Sabu Dastagir worked in the fantasy-adventure films Jungle Book and Arabian Nights.
• 1944: Sabu Dastagir obtained US citizenship and worked in the fantasy-adventure film Cobra Woman.
• 1960: Sabu Dastagir received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
• 1963: Sabu Dastagir passed away at the age of 39.
• 2017: Deepika Padukone made her Hollywood debut with the film xXx: Return Of Xander Cage.

Sources:

• Diligent Media Corporation Ltd., DNA (Daily News & Analysis) (all rights reserved) 2010.
• Contify.com.