Film actor Makhmudov Farkhat: biography and creative path

Childhood and youth

The future star of the “Brigade” was born in the spring of 1972 in the capital of Uzbekistan in a family where no one is connected with art. Mom was an athlete - she graduated from a physical education institute and got a job as an inspector of sports departments at universities. The boy's father worked as a communications engineer.

Farhad is Uzbek by nationality. The actor's name, translated from Arabic, means “panther” or “black cat,” but Makhmudov says that there is a second meaning - “bringer of light.” Relatives and friends “simplified” his name, calling him Farik in everyday life. Makhmudov received the same name in the series, which made him famous throughout the post-Soviet space.

Farhad Makhmudov was not an exemplary student: he did not fall behind in his studies, but he was not an excellent student either. Like many boys his age, Farah often skipped classes. It's funny, but it was skipping a drawing lesson that helped the 14-year-old teenager find his path in life and write the first page in his creative biography.

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Farkhad Makhmudov in his youth
An unfamiliar man approached the loitering Farik and asked what class the teenager was in. Makhmudov prepared for “defense” and thought about running away from the curious stranger, but he managed to grab the guy by the hand and introduced himself as an employee of Uzbekfilm. The man indicated the purpose of his visit to the school was to find a suitable boy for a new film.

So Farhad Makhmudov received his first role in the short film “Wolves”. He was entrusted with the role of high school student Rustem. After the release of the film, the young artist felt a taste of fame: the short film became popular in his native Uzbekistan. Two years later, in 1988, the drama “The View” was released, in which Farhad appeared in an episode. But next year, the high school student was entrusted with the main role in a musical comedy.

The artist spent his first fee “on art” - he bought a radio. The guy was truly introduced to art by VGIK students, whom Farhad Makhmudov met at the film studio. Young actors invited their young colleague to private screenings, where he watched films with Bernardo Bertolucci, Claudia Cardinale and Marcello Mastroianni.

Tomorrow at 11.05 on the First National Channel, Russian actor Farhad Makhmudov will appear in the program “Closer to the People”!
Published by Lyudmila Tomanek Saturday, December 21, 2013

Farhad Makhmudov in his youth
Having received a school certificate, Makhmudov set off to conquer the Russian capital. I entered VGIK on the first try, but not without difficulties. That year, the Tajik course was being recruited, and the guy had to join the army. Farhad was forced to travel to the capital of Tajikistan to negotiate a free place.

However, in Moscow it was discovered that all the agreements were in vain. Then the master of the course, Mikhail Gluzsky, himself “knocked out” a place for the talented Uzbek through Goskino. The teacher needed the type of hero-lover that Makhmudov belonged to. There were no other suitable candidates among the applicants.

Already in the 1st year, the guy became a star, but soon realized that the same talented guys who had no less a track record behind them were studying with him. Many parents were stars of Soviet cinema.

Among the students of the same stream already in those years, Ivan Okhlobystin, Oksana Arbuzova, Evgeniy Stychkin, Aleksey Agranovich stood out. Farhad Makhmudov received a diploma of higher education in 1993.

Eastern motifs of Farhad Makhmudov

On screen, Farhad Makhmudov most often embodies the images of men from the Caucasus, immigrants from Asia, guys who grew up in the mountains, and respectable businessmen of oriental appearance. Farhad’s theatrical career “through the life of a foreigner” is much richer. He successfully played in productions based on Anthony Burgess and Bulgakov, and in the musical “François Villon. Three days in Paris"

became a great French poet.

Having grown up watching Soviet cinema, 15-year-old Makhmudov found himself in the company of VGIK students.

The young man’s film horizons expanded noticeably - he watched the legendary films with Marcello Mastroianni, became acquainted with the work of Bertolucci and fell in love with the magical world of cinema.

Farhad played his first role while still at school. The short film about drug dealers “Wolves” was incredibly popular

, which made Farhad a star among his friends and peers, and even slightly infected him with star fever. However, all this passed with age and moving to Moscow, where the aspiring actor felt like one of many who must constantly prove his worth as an actor.

At VGIK, Makhmudov completed the course of Mikhail Gluzsky

, and in 1994
he found himself in the troupe of Roman Viktyuk
, a director who did not hesitate to shock the audience. Working with Viktyuk meant being the center of attention and criticism at the same time. But, according to the actor, it is important for him not to shock the audience, but to make people think.

But Makhmudov’s most memorable role for viewers was his work in the TV series “Brigade”.

According to the actor, this is the most honest story about that period in the country when crime became a part of life.

This year marks ten years since Farhad Makhmudov received the title of Honored Artist of Russia.

Ballad for Byron

kino-theatr.ru

One of the first roles of the young actor in Russian-Greek cinema based on the biography of the English poet. The film won the Thessaloniki International Film Festival and received many awards for sound, music, editing and costumes.

Brigade

kino-theatr.ru

Here Makhmudov played Sasha Bely’s army friend Farhad, who later crossed paths with him on criminal matters. This character was one of the few that was written specifically for the actor.

Outpost

my-hit.org

For his role as head of the outpost, Makhmudov was awarded a special prize from the Russian Federal Security Service. The events of the series take place on the border with Afghanistan. Captain Mansur Askerov heads a formation that stands in the way of active drug trafficking. It is never calm here, and sometimes you have to risk your life in peacetime.

Your own truth

kino-theatr.ru

Marina's (Maria Kulikova) marriage is falling apart at the seams when her husband finds another woman.
She is left with a lot of problems, searching for income and trying to get her children on their feet alone. All this is happening against the background of the events of the collapse of the country, which further worsens the situation. But suddenly a man appears who is ready to do anything for his beloved. Rustam (Farhad Makhmudov) is ready to become Marina’s husband and father of her children, love them and take care of their well-being. The only thing that gets in the way is Rustam's family - they have already found a more suitable bride for him. The series can be watched on Wednesday, December 6 at 20.50
.

Salamander trail

ruskino.ru

Farhad (Makhmudov)'s main income comes from selling drugs. He runs this very profitable and no less dangerous business together with his friend. The criminal activities of two friends bring them big trouble. Farhad takes his son and flees to his homeland. Concerned about the long absence of her family, wife Vera (Evgenia Loza) goes to a distant country to return her son and find answers to her questions.

Pomegranate flavor

inter.ua

A complicated love story between a provincial Russian student and the nephew of an Arab sheikh. Farhad Makhmudov as Yusuf, the governor of one of the regions of the Arab country of Janzur, a loyal subject of the sheikh.

My only sin

/rutube.ru
Guest worker Murad Ibragimov falls in love with the village beauty Lena Shcheglova. But he has a strong competitor - Lena’s fiancé, police captain Gena Kuznetsov (Kirill Grebenshchikov). The policeman has every opportunity to throw the illegal Murad out of the country, and the bride’s brother is engaged in poaching, and his relationship with the police is very beneficial to him.

Personal life

The actor’s first love happened long before the moment of fame. It was a classmate named Svetlana. Farhad was friends with a girl in the 7th and 8th grades. At VGIK, the young man was again visited by a romantic feeling. His chosen one was a student of the Faculty of Economics, whose name was Inna. The girl was from Nagorno-Karabakh.

In an interview, Makhmudov shared that in his youth he entered into a fictitious marriage with fellow actress Ekaterina Karpushina in order to gain a foothold in the Russian capital. The union turned out to be extremely “strong”: the stamp in Farhad’s passport lasted 15 years.

By that time, both “spouses” were already in family relationships and raising children. The divorce was finalized only after the father of Catherine’s son made an official proposal to the actress.

In the personal life of the stately (he is 1.87 m tall and weighs 80 kg) actor, not everything immediately turned out as he dreamed. True love, which should have ended in a strong marriage, ended in separation. The girl he loved, whom the guy met in Tashkent, could not live in Moscow. She stayed with Farhad in the capital of Russia for only six months, after which she returned to her homeland.

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Farhad Makhmudov and his son
But the civil marriage brought family happiness to the actor. At the age of 28, Makhmudov met a 17-year-old girl named Dina. The sympathy that arose grew into a romantic feeling.

The difference in age, culture and religion did not bother the lovers (Dina was Orthodox, while Farhad was a Muslim). In 2004, his wife gave birth to a son, who was named Iskander. It is noteworthy that Farhad’s parents call their grandson Alexander, and in Russia the boy’s name is Iskander. The actor has no other children.

The happiness did not last long: 3 years after the birth of their first child, conflicts began between the spouses. Dina decided to leave her husband. But a year later, on the initiative of the artist, the couple tried to reunite: in an interview, Farhad admitted that he really missed his son.

The couple lived together for a long time, but ultimately the actor suggested Dina break up. The child remained with his father. Alexander was already in his teens, so he could make decisions himself. Now Iskander often lives with his mother. She comes to Farhad's house during those periods when the actor needs to go to another city for filming.

Childhood and adolescence

The future actor was born in 1972 in Tashkent.
His parents were far from the art world. The name Farhad means “panther” and “bringer of light.” At home the boy was called by the diminutive name Farik. Interestingly, his character in the series that brought him fame also had this name. At school he was an average student and allowed himself to skip classes. And one day, when he was idly hanging out, skipping another lesson, he was approached by a representative of Uzbekfilm, who was looking for an actor for a new film. As a result, young Farhad played a schoolboy in the short film “Wolves,” which became popular on the local channel. After 2 years, he took part in a cameo role in the drama “The Look,” and a year later he played the main role in a comedy film. After graduating from school, Makhmudov went to Moscow to enter VGIK. He succeeded the first time and at first he even felt like a star, but he soon realized that his classmates were no less talented and also managed to act in films. He completed his studies in 1993.

Theater

After graduating from a theater university, Makhmudov was accepted into the troupe of the capital’s drama theater, which was directed by Evgeny Simonov, who recognized talent in the Uzbek young man. But in August 1994, Evgeniy Rubenovich died, and the young actor changed the stage - he moved to the Roman Viktyuk Theater.

The first image that the shocking director entrusted to the newcomer was Madame in the production “Philosophy in the Boudoir.” This was followed by roles in the plays “Prostitutes”, “Salome”, “. However, it was not theater, but cinema that turned Farhad Makhmudov into a famous artist.

Roles in the theater

Roles at the Roman Viktyuk Theater

“Butterfly Butterfly”, Aldo Nicolai - Elio
“Philosophy in the Boudoir”, Marquis de Sade - Madame de Saint-Ange
“Prostitutes”, Nino Manfredi - Putto
"Salome", Oscar Wilde - Alfred Taylor, 1st fighter, Angel of Perdition, Podgers, warrior, Robert Ross, Iokanaan
"Spring Awakening", Frank Wedekind - unknown in black
“Autumn Violins”, Ilya Surguchev - Pierrot
A Clockwork Orange, Anthony Burgess - Pete
"Antonio von Elba", Renato Mainardi - Fabio
"Edith Piaf", Ksyusha Dragunskaya - entrepreneur
“My Friend A”, Yukio Mishima - Gustav Krupp
“Dreams of Ivan Bezdomny” (“The Master and Margarita”), Misha Bulgakov - Doctor Stravinsky
“Let's have sex!”, V. Krasnogorov is a sexy maniac

Roles in the Capital Drama Theater named after Ruben Simonov

“Suicide”, N. Erdman - Grandskubik
“The Rulers” - Argamakov

In 2006, he played the main role in the musical “Francois Villon. Three days in Paris” (I. Kornienko).

Movies

After the release of the acclaimed TV series “Brigada,” in which the director assembled a constellation of young artists, the entire cast of the film project woke up famous. The film stars Sergei Bezrukov, Dmitry Dyuzhev, Vladimir Vdovichenkov, Pavel Maikov and a dozen other older generation artists whose names are known to millions of viewers. The series and its creators received TEFI, and Farhad Makhmudov received a ticket to the world of Russian cinema.

After the resounding success of the film, the young artist was bombarded with tempting offers. In 2005, Makhmudov appeared in the film “An Angel Came to Us,” where he played “a man who is oriental to the core” - his compatriot Talgat Nigmatulin, a karate black belt holder, poet and artist.

The image was not easy for Farhad: for the first time, the actor felt that he could not agree with his hero. Nevertheless, today the artist is proud of his work.

Bely's army friend in the TV series "Brigade" was played by Farhad Bakhadyrovich Makhmudov;
Born May 9, 1972; in Tashkent, Uzbek SSR. Published by Tashkent I vsedaokolo.uz Thursday, September 26, 2019

Farhad Makhmudov and Sergei Bezrukov in the TV series “Brigade”
The images, talentedly created in the rating films “Philip’s Bay”, “Outpost”, “Cursed Paradise - 2”, “Margosha” and “Trace of the Salamander”, strengthened the artist in the “star” niche. In the last film, Makhmudov appeared on the set together with Evgenia Loza, who played his lover. For his work in the 12-episode drama “Outpost,” Farhad Makhmudov received an award from the FSB: he brilliantly portrayed the brave head of the outpost, Mansur Askerov.

In 2008, the premiere of a 2-episode drama took place, based on Victoria Tokareva’s novel “One’s Own Truth.” The main roles were shared by Farhad Makhmudov and Maria Kulikova. The film was warmly greeted by melodrama lovers and film critics.

Film lovers and fans of the artist celebrate Makhmudov’s performance in the multi-part projects “Sea Devils. Fates", "Taste of Pomegranate" and "Brotherhood of the Airborne".

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Farhad Makhmudov and Maria Kulikova
In 2012, a film co-produced by Iran and Russia about the life of Omar Khayyam was released, in which the actor got a prominent role. Then the artist’s fans saw his performance in the series “Bad Blood”, “Veronica. Runaway" and the 3rd season of the action film "Brother for Brother".

Farhad Makhmudov equally easily transformed into hero-lovers, mafiosi, policemen and businessmen. The oriental appearance dictated the nationality of the heroes - Tajiks, Azerbaijanis, Uzbeks and even Evenks.

In 2017, Makhmudov delighted fans with his bright roles in the detective story “The Guardian of the Path” and the melodrama “Season of Love.” Among the top-rated projects in Farhad’s filmography, the TV series “Kitchen” and “Baron” stand out.

In 2020, the actor continued to delight fans with new roles. One of them is the main one in the melodrama “You Can’t Forgive,” directed by novice director Nikolai Borets. At the same time, work on the film “Scorpio” was completed.

Interview Farhad Makhmudov [07/01/2007]

from 1993 to 1994 - actor of the Theater of Evgeniy Rubenovich Simonov. since 1994 — actor of the Theater of Roman Viktyuk.

The Arabic name Farhad, which comes from…

Read completely

At the door of Farhad and Makhmudov’s apartment, three-year-old Iskander, his son, met us and carefully examined us. Farhad came out from the back room , and, sitting on high stools, we began to talk. For most of the interview, Farhad sat quietly, but spoke so brightly and emotionally that it seemed as if a fire tornado was raging in the sun-drenched kitchen where we were talking. The interview lasted exactly an hour, and during this time the hurricane of emotions did not subside for a second. And when Farhad answered several times the questions that I was planning to ask, but had not yet had time to ask, I was finally convinced that I was visiting a good genie, even if my interlocutor considers himself more like another character from an oriental fairy tale... We also talked about performances of the Viktyuk Theater, and about the TV series “Brigade”, and about such a fabulous thing as everyday racism... And they started, of course, with the new series “Outpost”, where Farhad played the main role.

"Outpost" talks about the life of border guards. The military is a special caste, the border is a special world... Did you work as consultants on the set of the film?

Certainly! The consultant was GRU Colonel Yevgeny Sokurov, he talked a lot about the border service. The border is the first defensive line of the country, therefore the border troops are not part of the army, but of the FSB - foreign intelligence. Any border is a “hot spot,” and especially with Afghanistan. They constantly cross the border there, shoot, and everyone who serves in these places understands that at any moment they could find themselves at gunpoint. Formally, there is no war, but the border guards live in constant tension, ready to go into battle at any moment.

How did you attune yourself to the state of internal tension in which your character lives?

I tried to let someone else’s life into me, imagined how I would behave if I could be killed at any moment... What helped me get used to the role was that while working on the film we lived in much the same way as border guards. Filming began at six in the morning and ended at nine in the evening. Early in the morning we got up, we put on our military uniform, checked our weapons, learned how to use them... Episodes need to be played authentically, but at the same time we also have to run through the mountains...

Is it really easier to run in the mountains in sneakers than in boots?

Yes, sure!

The action of "Outpost" takes place in fantastically beautiful places. Where was the film filmed?

In Chimgan, sixty kilometers from Tashkent. These are the foothills of the Kopet-Dag - a branch of the Tien Shan range. Wonderful, most beautiful places! In Soviet times, there was a ski resort where athletes trained for the Olympics, and now three huge, useless hotels stand and are falling into disrepair... Half of our film crew lived in one of them, and the other half lived in a new private hotel, it was more decent. There are also a huge number of pioneer camps in those places, and “Outpost” was filmed in one of them. The pioneer camp was ideal for filming: here are the mountains, here are the barracks...

The places there are quite wild, did any adventures happen during filming?

I wouldn’t say that they are so wild, they are not far from civilized places: the mobile phone worked there, the TV showed... But mountains are still mountains! Anyone who has been there will understand me. When you go down, you feel somehow strange: so many people, so many cars... In the mountains you get used to loneliness: if there was a day free from filming, I usually stayed in the hotel. I didn’t want to go to Tashkent: the one-way journey takes two hours, and it’s hot in the city, about fifty degrees... The hotel was deserted, everyone was filming, all that was left was to swim in the pool, read, watch TV... Boring! The beauty around you is, of course, extraordinary, but you also get tired of it over time.

Is it really possible to get tired of beauty?

When you see the same thing for three months, you get tired of beauty. During filming, we examined all the surroundings. The Chervak Reservoir is very beautiful, but over time you get tired of it. And you begin, like three sisters, to miss Moscow!

“Outpost” was actually filmed in your native places, because you were born and raised in Tashkent?

Yes, I lived there until I was seventeen.

What was this city like when you were a child?

Then, during the Soviet Union, it was completely different from what it is now... I left Tashkent and studied in Moscow back in Soviet times, and when I graduated from VGIK, a different era began. For me it turned out to be strange and incomprehensible in many ways; Let's say I received Russian citizenship only in October last year, and before that I was considered a foreigner. And it’s not even a matter of citizenship: I just can’t understand why it was necessary to separate. Now everyone has begun to get together again, because they understand: America will not provide a heavenly life for anyone, and loners cannot survive in this world. But how much time was lost...

Did you misbehave a lot as a child?

I wasn’t that inveterate, but I studied in a very friendly, cheerful class. Because of our unbridled nature, our 8th “B” was even disbanded and the students were divided into two classes, but we separated only during classes. When the lesson ended, we went out for recess and still got together with our group... We still meet, we go to each other’s birthdays. When I was filming “Outpost”, my classmates who live in Tashkent came to visit me in the mountains...

Did you often go to the cinema as a child?

Yes, and I still watch movies with great pleasure, sometimes even “C” class movies! My TV is constantly on.

What films did you like as a child?

American and European films were almost never shown at that time, and my parents had nothing to do with the world of art, so as a child I watched mostly Soviet cinema. And when I was about fifteen, I met some guys who studied at VGIK, and they started inviting me to screenings of Western films. I watched “The Skin” by Liliana Cavani with Marcello Mastroianni, Burt Lancaster, Claudia Cardinale and “The Moon” by Bernardo Bertolucci and suddenly realized that, it turns out, I know nothing about cinema! (Smiles.) And if I don’t know something, I immediately become interested! After watching these films, I firmly decided that I would enter VGIK and become an actor.

You first acted in films when you were still in school. Were you nervous during filming?

As a child, you don’t really understand what filming is, and you don’t feel much responsibility. Everything around you is so interesting: travel, expeditions, everyone treats you like an adult! And you even earn money! With the fee for my first film, I bought a radio...

After the film with your participation was released, you probably became the star of your school, yard, street...

Everything was like that, and even more! In 1987, the short film “Wolves” was released, in which I played the main role. This is one of the first Soviet films about drugs and the drug mafia; Previously, the authorities claimed that there could be no drug addicts in the Soviet Union at all. In Uzbekistan, “Wolves” was watched by a million viewers, which is a lot. Everyone recognized me...

Have you suffered from star fever?

It happened, but I got over it quickly. I entered VGIK, looked around, and there were a lot of people like me here! (Smiles.) Every second person is famous for something! So the arrogance immediately went away, I calmed down and since then I haven’t been stressed about it at all! Star fever is an unpleasant thing: when you fly too high, then it’s very painful to fall. You just need to relax and walk on the ground...

What especially struck you about Moscow when you came here to study?

The number of people, the leaden sky, and the fact that I wanted to sleep all the time.

Did the change in time zones affect this?

No, we just didn’t sleep much at night.

What did you read when entering VGIK?

“The Master and Margarita”, chapter 32 - “The Last Refuge”: “Oh gods, my gods, how sad the evening earth is...” I don’t remember everything, some other patriotic poem, fables... In general, it was fun!

What kind of teacher was Mikhail Andreevich Gluzsky?

Mikhail Andreevich was a very strict, but very fair person. He said: “Neither certificate nor title makes anyone an artist. A person becomes an artist all his life. You can never say: “Now I’m finally an artist!” No, I am constantly working on myself. Every appearance on stage or on a film set is an exam, and you pass it or fail it, move forward or freeze in place...” Nowadays, some people, having starred in a soap opera, sincerely consider themselves great actors. But this is not true! The right to be an artist must be proven anew every time, and I feel sorry for those who do not understand this.

Did you feel homesick while studying?

I’ll be honest: no, I wasn’t sad. Of course, I missed my parents a little, but life turned out to be incredibly busy, my student years were so wonderful, the people around me were so interesting that there was no time left to be sad. I graduated from VGIK in 1993 and when I studied, there were no commercial students yet; they were accepted not for money, but only for talent. At the same time, the children of many famous directors and actors studied with me, and some looked askance at the “golden boys,” but now the children of celebrities have proven their talent, their right to be in art... Wonderful teachers, talented fellow students, wonderful films that I watched then , - what a melancholy here!

Your native language is Uzbek. Is it difficult to play in a foreign language?

No, on the contrary! I grew up in Soviet times... My parents blame themselves, but it turned out that most of our neighbors in the yard were Russian, I studied in a Russian school, and I had practically no one to speak Uzbek with. My native language is Russian, I think in Russian... And in terms of mentality I am rather Russian, especially since all Russians are a little Asian.

Since 1994 you have been working at the Roman Viktyuk Theater. The first role you played there was Madame Saint-Ange. Was it difficult to work on this role?

Not difficult, but fun! To play a woman, you need to find her plasticity, the way she speaks, looks... She was my woman, my favorite!.. I’ll tell you more: all the actors who have ever played women received great pleasure from this work! Ask Kalyagin! Remember how he played in the movie “Hello, I'm your aunt!”? He enjoyed this role!.. Both I and the actors who played in “The Maids” enjoyed it too!..

When Viktyuk’s performances came out in the 90s, where men played female roles, it was a real shock! Now everything has changed: go to any theater, and there will certainly be at least one similar performance in it... Another thing is that now some actors play fools, treat their heroines down, and this is wrong. When you play a woman, it is important to remember that she is yours, she is good! You need to love her! We love women, why offend them?!

One of the characters in the play “M. Butterfly says: “Only a man can play a woman, because only a man knows what a woman should be.” In your opinion, what should a woman be like?

A woman should be kind, warm-hearted, be able to love herself and appreciate the love addressed to her; everything else is not so important. The mind is a gainable thing: a book more, a book less... And insight, intuition, in my opinion, is present in all women from birth...

I watched “Now I’ll come out and shock everyone!” (Smiles.) On stage, I’m focused on what I have to do and why, and whether it shocks someone or not, I don’t care. And Roman Grigorievich Viktyuk stages performances not to shock the audience, but to make people think. During rehearsals, there is a long discussion about what the play should be like, why the characters act this way and not otherwise... Every action has a psychological justification, and if I don’t understand the reasons for my character’s actions, then I simply won’t be able to play him.

Everyone knows that most theaters are terrariums of like-minded people. What do you think the Viktyuk Theater is like - a terrarium, a monastery, a laboratory or a fair?

It’s already difficult for me to judge this: it turned out that for the last three years I have done almost nothing in the theater. I was filming a lot at that time, and I didn’t always have enough time for performances. Perhaps it’s more interesting for Roman Grigorievich to work with other actors now... I’ve been in the theater for thirteen years now, and it’s probably time to change something. If Roman Grigorievich invites me to participate in some production, I, of course, will agree, but, in my opinion, I am not needed in the theater now. I’m not betraying anyone, I’m not setting anyone up, I’m simply leaving honestly.

Over the years of work at the Viktyuk Theater you have played many infernal, otherworldly, mystical characters. Weren't you afraid to come into contact with such subtle matters?

No! Those who doubt something are afraid. But I had no doubts - I just went out and played. The scene is the scene! When the performance ended, I left everything I had played on stage: carrying your roles with you everywhere is not a safe activity. In real life I prefer to be as simple and clear as possible. I can’t stand those who act off stage: it’s easy for such people to get carried away and lose themselves. Falsehood in life sooner or later turns into falsehood on stage, and insincere people are not interesting to me.

You love Mikhail Bulgakov. Why are his books close to you?

In general, I am interested in everything that concerns mysticism and esotericism.

Translated into Russian, your name means “black panther”...

To be honest, I don't know for sure. The meaning of my name depends on how you pronounce it. What is certain is that the name is Arabic...

According to the eastern horoscope, you were born in the year of the Rat, and according to your zodiac sign you are Taurus. How do a panther, a rat and a bull get along with each other?

Rats get along well with everyone, they are sociable animals! (Smiles.) Most of my classmates are also Rats, so we are all friends! By the way, Roman Grigorievich Viktyuk is a Rat according to his horoscope, and among the actors of his theater there are many Rats!

The Viktyuk Theater in its productions is very far from everyday authenticity, and cinema requires extreme realism from actors. Is it difficult to change your mind during filming?

In order not to get into the weeds, I will say this: realism in acting is a relative concept. If, for example, an actor plays Raskolnikov, he is not seriously thinking about how he can kill the old woman, but simply imagining that he is thinking about it! But whether the audience will believe him depends on how convincingly the actor presents it! So the school of experience and the school of representation differ from each other much less than one might imagine!

Roman Grigoryevich Viktyuk stages performances in the style of postmodernism and thinks through them very carefully. The manner of acting in his performances is a style that is developed only after you truly feel and understand your character. Only then can you reach a different level of acting existence. Working with Roman Grigorievich allows one to understand the meaning of the play so well that everyday authenticity becomes completely unimportant. It’s like in the paintings of, for example, Van Gogh: reality is blurred, but its visible absence highlights the essence more strongly. Roman Grigorievich likes to repeat: “If you throw a stone into the water, which reflects a beautiful landscape, you will get a completely different picture.” This is roughly how performances are staged at the Viktyuk Theater, although everything, of course, is much more complicated...

While filming “Brigade”, did you imagine that the film would be such a success?

I'll tell you one story - I hope no one will be offended by me. Once on the set of “The Brigade” I found myself next to the sound engineer, and she sadly said: “The cameraman is given more time to prepare for work, but I seem to have nothing to do with it... Probably, the operator “Tefi” wants...” Maybe this sounds strange , but we all felt like we were making a very important and interesting film. It was clear from the eyes that both the actors and the crew are a team, and everything they do, they do with great pleasure! People really spent themselves, working on every shot, discussing the characters and behavior of all the characters, even minor ones...

It was a little easier for the leading actors: their roles were thought out for all fifteen episodes, and over time the guys began to work exactly like clockwork. Of the younger generation, only Sergei Bezrukov and I managed to work in the theater; the rest were still finishing their studies, but they did an excellent job, and I really envy them. I remember one day Dima and I met by chance on a free day from filming, and he sadly said: “They constantly push me aside, I’m always out of frame, if this goes on, I won’t be visible at all...” And I answered him: “Dima , Do not worry! Everyone will see you! You’ll still complain that your face is too much!” (Smiles.) Now Dmitry Dyuzhev is doing great, just like the rest of the guys from the Brigade, and I’m very happy for them!

Isn’t it strange that the heroes of the “Brigade” - criminals - became idols of the whole country?

Whatever one may say, half the country was involved in crime at that time; Maybe in Moscow all these troubles hit people less hard, but the farther from the capital, the more difficult it was. Life was evil, people were evil... And, in my opinion, those who are now loudest indignant at the popularity of crime are the most important mafiosi! (Smiles.) I believe that “Brigada” told about everything so accurately and reliably that it practically closed this topic in cinema! Almost all crime films that came out after “The Brigade” are already secondary. Now, it is probably impossible to say anything new about criminal gangs of the 90s in cinema. If it weren’t for “The Brigade,” perhaps we would have been overwhelmed by a stream of low-quality and very cruel films, and we would have watched them, spoiling our taste. And “Brigade”, at least, was shot with high quality and professionalism, and the film turned out to be very complex, all the accents were placed correctly. Of course, fools may also perceive it as a glorification of banditry, but fools understand everything to the extent of their stupidity. And don’t think that only fools live in the country!

You starred in the film “The Wonderful Valley”...

No, I didn’t act, although I should have. Going to filming, I boarded the plane three times, and three times it did not take off. I don’t really believe in omens, but then I started thinking about it, and in the end I decided not to tempt fate, left the airport and abandoned filming.

During the filming of “Outpost” you lived near Tashkent and visited there often, but in general do you often visit your hometown?

I try to come at least once a year. My parents live there.

What has changed in your native places in recent years?

The difference between rich and poor became clearly visible. This is especially noticeable when you go out of town. In any case, it seems to me that a middle class has not yet formed there, although perhaps I am mistaken.

Don't you miss oriental food?

There is a lot of oriental food in Moscow! Uzbek restaurants, Tajik, Chinese, Japanese... Across the street from my house is a restaurant serving Azerbaijani cuisine... You won't get bored here!

Russian emigrants living in Europe and America change a lot over time. They begin to speak Russian with an accent, their attitude to life changes... Has Moscow changed you a lot?

In my opinion, an actor is an actor everywhere, no matter where he works. It’s just that in the West they know how to film well, and if they do something, they do it with all their hearts. At the beginning of June I was awarded the Peacemaker Order for my work at Zastava; The award was also received by Michael Madsen, the star of Tarantino's films. What did he do! When it was announced that Madsen was being awarded the order, such a show began! The American received the award with tears in his eyes, called his wife on stage and said that he had achieved everything in life only thanks to her and their six children... At the same time, Madsen behaved with great dignity, very masculine, and, in my opinion, absolutely sincerely . If it's a show, then go all out!

Moscow is a rather cruel city...

That's for sure! Moscow does not believe in tears!

It is not always easy for people with oriental appearance here. Do you encounter everyday racism in your daily life?

I come across it, but I try to ignore everything. This is funny and stupid! You have to be completely stupid not to understand: Russia is a huge country in which people of different nationalities live! There is nothing more stupid than the slogan “Russia is for Russians!” Who's taking it away?! Now, if Yakutia is for the Yakuts, Buryatia is for the Buryats, Altai is for the Altai people, what will be left of Russia?! What about the problem of migrant workers?! There are already not enough of them, and if they are completely banned from coming, who will work? The fascists definitely won’t work; if they knew how to do this, they would be doing business, and not wandering around the streets! My grandfather fought in World War II and received the Order of the Red Star and the Medal of Courage for jumping in front of Nazi tanks and blowing them up. Having jumped, the man lies motionless while a tank passes over him, and, left behind, throws a grenade... Then no one looked whether you were Russian, Uzbek, Armenian or Jew - everyone fought the brown plague together! Perhaps my grandfather fought alongside the relatives of those who are now shouting Nazi slogans... And how many people were evacuated to Tashkent! It is possible that relatives of the current fascists lived in Uzbekistan during the war! I don’t understand what these shaven-headed idiots are thinking about, how they come up with the idea of raising their hand in a Nazi salute! What did they hear at school, what did their parents teach them?! Isn’t it enough what’s happening in the world now, in Estonia, for example?! Now I don’t buy Estonian products at all...

It is very profitable for some forces to fragment and break Russia into parts, so they invest huge amounts of money in the propaganda of fascist ideas! And the Russian Nazis became victims of this massive brainwashing. Skinheads do not understand that they are being manipulated like puppets, they do not realize in whose interests they are acting! They have no desire to stop, think, look at the map of their native country and understand: people of different nationalities have always lived and worked in Russia, and this is what makes it strong!

Some people say: “If you want to rise to the top, get rid of excess weight.” Others believe that it is the family that helps in difficult times. What is your opinion?

Life experience - both joyful and sad - is very necessary for actors. Even if those you care about sometimes hurt you, the emotions you feel will be useful when working on some complex dramatic role. So people close to the actor always help!

Do you have any favorite places in Moscow?

I love old Moscow very much. When I have free time and it’s warm outside, I like to walk along Tverskaya, stroll along the boulevards, sit on a bench there, look at the girls passing by...

How do you prefer to relax?

I used to love to hang out, but after the birth of Iskander I prefer to relax quietly at home, read a book... Although now sometimes I can light up for three days, but rarely anymore. Perhaps age is taking its toll... (Smiles.)

Do you like to travel?

Yes! When I don’t go anywhere for a long time, I start to get bored; probably because I spent many years on constant tours. And I sleep on trains! Some people can’t sleep there, but as soon as the train leaves the station, I lie down and sleep like a groundhog!

What countries and cities have you visited that are especially memorable?

It is not the place that makes a person, but the person who makes the place! It's good to have friends!

Do you think the people of the East are very different in character from those who live in Europe?

National character, of course, exists, but in general people are the same everywhere, all nations have good people and bad ones. In my opinion, Russians and, say, Uzbeks are more similar to each other than to Europeans. In my opinion, in Europe people are more reserved, you feel completely different there...

What does money mean to you?

It is a means to an end. Sometimes you can’t live without them, but sometimes their absence doesn’t bother you too much.

Are there roles that you would not agree to play for any money?

Recently I was offered to play a man who sells a child for organs. I just read the script and I felt bad! I have a small child myself, so I refused. I won’t agree to play if the role is poorly thought out, and this happens sometimes lately. I sometimes watch new films and don’t understand why they were made, who enjoyed this work. Of course, cinema can be different: let’s say, in the films of Parajanov or Tarkovsky, I don’t understand everything, but I enjoy the wonderful shots and wonderful acting... But acting in hack-work is more expensive!

What performance were you so urgently introduced to in recent days?

The musical "Francois Villon". In principle, I don’t pretend to have vocal superpowers, but I decided to take a risk and started singing...

Are you rehearsing any other new performances?

Negotiations are currently underway on the resumption of the enterprise performance “Perfume”; at one time the main role there was played by the late Viktor Avilov. They offer me a role - I don’t even know what it is yet. Negotiations will begin in a few days, then everything will become clear.

Are there any new offers in the cinema?

Now the previously stopped filming of the film “Industrial Zone” based on the book by Yulia Latynina, the author of “The Hunt for the Red Deer,” has continued. Soon I will begin voicing Ichthyander in the cartoon “The Sea Devil” based on the novel “Amphibian Man” by Alexander Belyaev. The characters drawn there will be similar to the actors who voice them, although my character will be made blond... There are other projects, but it’s too early to talk about them.

Do you have a dream role?

If I start dreaming of only one role, it will mean that I have driven myself into some kind of framework. Any role you play must be played well. There is no limit to perfection!

If a good wizard met you and offered to grant you one wish, what would you ask him for?

Only one?! Then I want an island in the ocean where my friends could arrive at any moment!

If I meet a good wizard, I will definitely tell him! Who is closer to your character - Sinbad the Sailor, the Sultan to whom Scheherazade told fairy tales for 1001 nights, Aladdin or the genie in the bottle?

Aladdin! I believe that you can find a magic lamp and all problems will be solved by themselves! (Smiles.)

The conversation ends: for Farhad to go to the rehearsal of “François Villon.” Farhad doesn’t really need either wizards or wonderful lamps

Farhad Makhmudov now

After a short break in his cinematic career, the artist is again busy with several projects. In 2020, news appeared that the actor was starring in the drama “Gold.” Also with the participation of Makhmudov, the mystical thriller “Keeper of the Path” was being prepared for release. Here, director Lyubomir Levitsky assembled a star cast - Svetlana Khodchenkova, Ravshana Kurkova and Maria Semkina. Farhad Bakhadyrovich got the main role.

Farhad Makhmudov was in a fictitious marriage

Actor Farhad Makhmudov, known for his role as a drug dealer in the TV series “Brigade,” admitted in the studio of the “Fate of a Man” program on the Russia 1 channel that for fifteen years he had been in a fictitious marriage with Honored Artist of Russia Ekaterina Karpushina.

“I got a job at a theater in Moscow, but I had a passport of a citizen of another country. I myself come from Uzbekistan. And here our wonderful actress Ekaterina Karpushina came to my aid. She is my great friend. We are still friends. She said: “Come on, Farik, we’ll enter into a fictitious marriage with you. And we will register you in the capital. You will have a residence permit."

As the actor noted, he and the actress were in a fictitious marriage for fifteen years. They divorced when both he and his colleague already had a family.