The performance of the role of Abdurakhman Jami in the film "The Shining of the Stars: Jami and Navoi" was entrusted to the People's Artist of Tajikistan Kurbon Sobir. Earlier, the approval of the candidacy of Mahmadsaid Shoien, chairman of Tajikfilm, for this role caused a wave of criticism on social networks.
The news about the replacement of the performer of the role of Jami was first published by Radio Ozodi. Asia–Plus sources also confirmed that such a decision had indeed been made. However, officials and the actor himself refrained from providing comments.
Kurbon Sobir, an actor at the Lokhuti Theater, did not unequivocally confirm his candidacy for the role of Jami in the film "Shining of the Stars: Jami and Navoi" in a brief interview with Asia–Plus, but did not deny it either.
"I can't say anything right now. The contract has not been signed yet. When we sign the contract and start shooting, then we'll talk about it," said Kurbon Sobir.
The first deputy chairman of Tajikfilm, Tolib Gaibullozoda, also declined to comment in detail, only noting that "no instructions have yet been received from the government on this issue." However, he confirmed that "filming continues in Khujand, but Shohien is not there."
Mahmadsaid Shohien, in an interview with Radio Ozodi on August 25, did not want to discuss this issue. Fayzulloi Fayz, one of the directors of the film "Shining of the Stars: Jami and Navoi", also refrained from commenting.
The decision to create the film "Shining of the Stars: Jami and Navoi", which tells about the friendly and mentoring relationship between poets Abdurakhman Jami and Alisher Navoi, was made in 2021 during the meetings of the presidents of Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
The film's budget will be $10 million.
The choice of Mahmadsaid Shohien for the role of Abdurakhman Jomi in the joint film "Shining of the Stars: Jami and Navoi" caused controversy from the very beginning of filming. Some argued that Mahmadsaid Shohien's appearance and physique did not match the image of Jami and another actor should play this role, for example, Nurullo Abdulloev, Ortiki Kodir, Mahmadali Mahmadov or Kurbon Sobir.
Tolib Gaibullozoda explained the reason for choosing Mahmadsaid Shohien for the role of Jami by saying that Shohien's candidacy was determined based on the casting results. At the final stage, eight actors were considered, of which the artistic council of the film studio selected three and presented them to the director. He stressed that the main director had chosen the actor for the main role of Jami, that is, Mahmadsaid Shokhin.
The Tajik director of the film, Fayzullo Fayzov, refused to explain why Mahmadsaid Shohien was chosen for the role of Jami. He only briefly noted that "this is the result of the work of the art council."
It should be noted that the role of Navoi in this film will be played by Uzbek actor Ilkhom Berdiev.
Preparations for filming began in November 2024, according to information received by Asia–Plus, the total budget of the film is about 10 million US dollars.
Initially, it was planned to shoot the film entirely in Tajik, but due to the fact that the Uzbek actors do not speak it, they play in Uzbek, and the finished film will be dubbed in Tajik.
The Uzbek director of the film, Dilmurod Masaidov, noted that 70% of the filming takes place in Uzbekistan (Bukhara, Tashkent, Khiva), and 30% in Tajikistan – filming takes place in Iram Park, Gissar Fortress and Khujand.
The cast includes Uzbek artists – 60%, Tajik – 40%. It is expected that the film "Shining of the Stars: Jami and Navoi" will be presented to the audience on the eve of the celebration of Navruz in 2026.
