🎬 Decades before Deepika, Priyanka Chopra, or Irrfan Khan—this teen was the first Indian on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

It may surprise many, but the first-ever Indian to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame did so way back in 1960, nearly 65 years ago—long before any of today’s Bollywood superstars walked that path.

The honour went to Sabu Dastagir, a teen prodigy from Mysore, whose cinematic journey began in 1937 with Elephant Boy. He swiftly rose to international fame after roles in The Drum (1938) and The Thief of Bagdad (1940), earning acclaim as one of Hollywood’s most popular non‑white actors of the era.

Adopting U.S. citizenship in 1944, Sabu even served in the U.S. Army during World War II. Post‑war, his cinema presence dimmed, and though he continued working in European films and was considered for major Bollywood projects, none materialized. He passed away at just 39, in 1963.

Sabu’s legacy laid foundational ground for later Indian actors—Kabir Bedi, Om Puri, Aishwarya Rai, Priyanka Chopra, and Irrfan Khan—who would eventually carry Indian talent across borders. But it was Sabu who first secured the magical star on the Hollywood pavement.

⭐ Why this matters today

This isn't merely a celebrity scoop—it’s a rediscovery of India’s early influence on global cinema.

It corrects a widespread misunderstanding: Deepika Padukone, while being an icon and the first contemporary Indian actress to be selected, isn’t the earliest Indian star on Hollywood’s famed Walk .

It also shines a spotlight on Sabu’s captivating journey—from a young elephant mahout’s son to beloved Hollywood star—whose contributions deserve renewed recognition.