Our Bureau
Mumbai
Sabu Dastagir, widely acknowledged as India’s first global Hollywood star, is finally getting a biopic that will chronicle his remarkable journey from elephant stables in Mysore to international fame and wartime heroism. Almighty Motion Picture has acquired the rights to adapt Debleena Majumdar’s acclaimed biography, Sabu: The Remarkable Story of India’s First Actor in Hollywood into both film and television projects.
Born in 1924 in the village of Karapura, Mysore, British India, Sabu was the son of a mahout, an elephant caretaker for the local maharaja. After losing his parents at a young age, the orphaned boy worked in the elephant stables before being discovered by American filmmaker Robert J. Flaherty during the making of Elephant Boy (1937). His debut film, based on Rudyard Kipling’s story Toomai of the Elephants, catapulted him to instant stardom with critics praising his natural charm and acting talent. The success led to roles in other classics like The Thief of Bagdad (1940), Jungle Book (1942), and Black Narcissus (1947) — making him a transcontinental icon bridging Eastern and Western cinema.
Beyond his screen career, Sabu served as a decorated air gunner in World War II, adding a heroic dimension to his legacy. In 1960, he was the first Indian actor to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Producer Prabhleen Sandhu emphasized that Sabu’s story is not only one of stardom but also a powerful symbol of cultural convergence and resilience. The biopic aims to preserve and showcase a forgotten epic of fame, identity, and legacy to a global audience.
Sabu’s life—from the royal elephant stables of Mysore to the glittering streets of Hollywood—embodies an extraordinary journey of talent, courage, and international acclaim that Indian cinema and the world are set to rediscover through this cinematic tribute.
