From Mysore Elephant Handler to Hollywood Legend: Sabu Dastagir's Untold Story

• Sabu Dastagir, a 13-year-old from Mysore, was the first Indian actor to become a main hero in Hollywood, long before the internet era.
• Discovered as an elephant handler in Mysore Palace by director Robert Flaherty, he starred in the 1937 hit 'Elephant Boy'.
• He achieved global stardom with films like 'The Drum', Oscar-winning 'The Thief of Bagdad', and 'The Jungle Book', earning a spot on Hollywood's 'Walk of Fame'.
• Sabu became an American citizen, served as a 'tail gunner' in WWII, and was awarded the 'Distinguished Flying Cross'.
• His career declined due to typecasting in turban roles; he passed away at 39 from a heart attack in 1963.

Why It Matters: Sabu Dastagir, an elephant handler from Mysore, became Hollywood's first Indian hero and a global icon.