Jamila Gofurova, who missed out on a role because of Sevinch Muminova, received a salary equivalent to the price of a car, and is known for her negative portrayals, is 42 years old

Known for her negative roles, missed out on a role because of Sevinch Muminova, received a fee equivalent to the price of a car: Jamila Gofurova turns 42

On September 9, talented film and theater actress Jamila Gofurova, who missed out on her first film role to Sevinch Muminova, found happiness in her second marriage, and is now a mother of four, turned 42. On this occasion, we take a look at her life and career path.

### My mother gave up her career because of us

The actress was born into the family of Shukur Gofurov, an Honored Artist of Uzbekistan. Since her father was an opera singer, many artists used to visit their home. Jamila Gofurova was also interested in singing and dancing.

However, having children one after another and her father being away on frequent tours forced her mother to give up her career.

"For as long as I can remember, I loved dancing and singing. But for some reason, my parents did not want me to become a singer. Now I regret not studying at a music school.

Sometimes I even felt resentful toward my parents for this. For some reason, my mother dreamed of me becoming an actress. That is why, from the age of 14, she took me to castings held at 'Uzbekfilm'," says actress Jamila Gofurova.

### Sevinch Muminova snatched the role

The actress shared that getting approved for her debut role was difficult, and because she was on the plumper side, Sevinch Muminova got the role instead.

"I failed the casting for a children's film called 'Meshpolvon'. After that, at the age of 16, I came to the casting for the film 'Dilxiroj' along with Alisher Hamroyev and Sevinch Muminova. Back then, they didn't cast me for the lead role because I was chubby.

There wasn't even a proper casting for 'Dilxiroj'; when they asked, 'Which role did you come for?', I said, 'I came for the lead role, I will play the lead.' At that time, the director said, 'Jamila, if you want to play the lead role, you will have to lose weight, you are a bit chubby.' Indeed, I was a chubby girl and did not fit the lead role, but who would say about themselves, 'I am fat, I don't fit the lead role'?

The shooting took place in Surxondaryo region. The filming lasted for forty days, and my role was completed in the very first days—it was a two-second role. I still remember my line in that movie; it consisted of the words: 'Go, get lost, snotty.' Even after playing my role, I didn't leave. I told the director, 'If there are any passing shots, I can play them,' and stayed on the set for forty days without leaving," says Jamila Gofurova.

### "I took an academic leave because of filming"

Although Jamila Gofurova played minor roles in films, she did not apply to the Institute of Arts after finishing school. However, she later regretted this decision.

"I still don't understand why I applied to that institute. Sometimes, due to increased filming schedules or other reasons, I had to take an academic leave. I studied on a contract basis, and after me, my sister was also admitted on a paid basis. It was certainly not easy for my parents to pay for our studies. Many years later, in 2012, I applied to the Uzbekistan State Institute of Arts and Culture. However, I studied directing, not acting," says actress Jamila Gofurova.

### "My highest fee"

The actress spoke about receiving a large fee for the film "Faryod" and how she bought a car thanks to this role.

"In the past, I was the highest-paid actress. I received the price of a car to play a role in films; if we calculate it by today's standards, one could buy a Spark car with that money. I can even name the film—it was called 'Uzuk'.

I received a very large fee for the film 'Faryod'. Since 'Faryod' turned out well, the film's producers agreed to gift me a Nexia. That Nexia was my first car," says Jamila Gofurova.

### "I missed out on money because of 'Baron'"

Jamila Gofurova is one of those actresses who are not afraid to play negative roles. She spoke about how she faced people's hatred and missed out on a good amount of money because of her role in the film "Baron".

"When they invited me to the film 'Baron', I let my mother read the script. I got scared and was about to reject the role when my mother said, 'An actress must play any role, why are you hesitating? Someone has to play this role, after all.' After those words, I agreed to play the role. But after the film's premiere, a confectionery company offered me a commercial for a good amount of money. When the director and I went to the head of the company, he looked at me and said, 'No, I don't want this actress to advertise our products. After all, she sold her nephew and killed her sister.' In short, because of my role in 'Baron', I missed out on a good amount of money," says actress Jamila Gofurova.

### "You don't look like yourself anymore"

The actress got married 16 years ago. From this marriage, she had a daughter named Shirina. However, for many years, she kept her divorce from her husband a secret. Then, for some reason, she completely disappeared from the screens.

Photo: Instagram — "After having a child, I gained quite a bit of weight. This caused a number of inconveniences for me as well. There came days when directors stopped giving me roles because of my weight. After that, I made a serious decision to lose weight. After I lost weight, some people said, 'You don't look like yourself anymore.' In short, it is difficult to please everyone. The important thing is for a person to love themselves and live in comfortable conditions," says actress Jamila Gofurova.

### My husband is a "star" on the street

The actress became a mother for the third time in 2020. However, until then, she had kept her marriage a secret from the public. In one of her interviews, she mentioned that her husband works in a field far from art and is an extremely jealous person.

Photo: Instagram — "My husband is not educated, but he is a successful person. He is engaged in entrepreneurship. Since I graduated from two institutes, I want my husband to get an education too. He has his own world. He is a 'star' on the street. I did not keep my family or having a child a secret. It's just that I had a son right when the quarantine was at its peak. Because of the quarantine, we had to leave the maternity hospital in simple clothes and without special makeup. We also decided to hold the ceremonies in a modest way, within the family circle. Therefore, there was no need to announce this news," says the actress.

Currently, the actress works not only in cinema but also in theater. She works at the "Turon" theater studio, established under the direction of Sayfiddin Meliyev.

### "I ask for guidance for myself, I need to correct some of my actions"

Although Jamila Gofurova used to be lively and cheerful, she says she is now fully fulfilling her duties as a mother and a woman. She spoke about growing older year by year and trying to ensure her children do not hear bad things about their mother:

"Every day, I try to correct one mistake of mine that I don't like, and I ask Allah for guidance for myself, not for others. I think about suitors coming for my daughters, and my sons walking with their heads held high in front of their friends. I really like growing older, very much. I wish I had my current mindset 20 years ago.

I never believed that one day I would be a mother of four children, sitting at home and wondering what day or date it is today. Because I used to be a restless girl who couldn't get enough of filming, running from one event to another. But seeing my children sleeping at night is very pleasant, I am endlessly grateful to have reached these days," says Jamila Gofurova.

### "My children are afraid of their father, and I like it"

The actress does not like to talk about her husband, his identity, and personality, but she touched upon her husband's role in her being a beloved wife, a loving mother, and a calm housewife. She had to choose a husband who would be not only a spouse to her but also a father to her daughter Shirina, loving her as his own child.

"This doesn't mean I live in fear, I respect him. These very aspects help me a lot—after he enters the house, my children change by 99 percent, a different atmosphere appears in our home. Honestly, at that time, I rest. My children are afraid of their father, and I like it. Every task in our house is done with my husband's consent.

We were five children in our family, and since I grew up among many, I wanted my own family to be large too. Now I got married and increased the number of my children. I said my husband is strict; if there are constant fights and arguments, a family can break up. I won't just get divorced because he is quick-tempered. For this reason, we have agreed—when my husband is angry, I stay calm.

When men marry an artist, they marry knowing she is a representative of art, but later they still want to change their wife. I tell my husband, 'Don't try to change me, I accept you as you are and live with you. Don't try to change me; if you accept me as I am, we will be a very beautiful family. I will feel good, I won't be depressed, I will give enough love to the children, and I will do my job with love—and look, there is no happier woman than me,' I repeat this often," said the actress.

### "I don't interfere in the relationship between my daughter and my husband"

The actress spoke about the relationship between her husband and daughter in the past and today.

"Her father would also get upset about this and say, 'She is my daughter, after all, what's wrong if I speak a little as a father? On the contrary, if I don't scold her, I will remain a stepfather.' This was the situation a few years ago. I won't hide it, I was depressed at those times. But now, although my daughter is 16 years old, she thinks like a grown-up girl. No matter what, for me, this person is Shirina's father; it has been this way since she was 7-8 years old. We live together, I don't interfere much in their relationship, it's a normal father-daughter relationship.

I gave birth to my daughter Shirina when I was 25 years old, and I say it's a good thing I gave birth to this daughter of mine. She is raising her little brother herself now, she is my helper. I gave birth to her brothers and sisters for this daughter of mine too, so that one day, when siblings are needed, she wouldn't feel hurt wondering why she doesn't have brothers or sisters," says Jamila, a mother of four.

### "My heart stopped during childbirth"

Jamila Gofurova became a mother for the fourth time on March 23, 2024—she had a son. But this happiness did not come easy to the actress; she literally returned from the dead.

"The doctors at the maternity hospital I went to gave me a second life by Allah's will. I went to the hospital in such a serious condition that my heart stopped for 5-10 minutes. I had lost consciousness, and I can't remember everything that was said at that time. But they told me one thing: 'Remember this date, Jamila, this is your birthday.' On March 23, I was 'born' again. Now, thinking about how strong the doctors were who helped me, I am always grateful to them. At those times, my loved ones did not leave me alone; my husband, my father, and my second mother—that is, my father's second wife—my brother and sister-in-law, and my friends came to check on me. I was on the verge of falling into depression, but they did not just stand by and watch me fall into this state; I am grateful to all of them," says actress Jamila Gofurova.