Asad Ismatov

Talented film and theater actor Asad Ismatov was born in 1907 in the Ittifoq neighborhood of Andijan. In 1924, he joined a newly formed drama group in Andijan, where he performed roles in Schiller's «Intrigue and Love» and Gogol's «The Government Inspector». He also staged plays in the theater, such as «Farhod and Shirin», «One Servant for Two Masters», «Ichkarida», and others.

At the Osh City Theater, his play titled «Adolat» (Justice) remained on stage for 40 years. Later, A. Ismatov masterfully performed the roles of Hoji in K. Yashin's «Nurxon» at the Muqimiy Theater, Qora Botir in S. Abdulla's «Tohir and Zuhra», and Husayn Boyqaro in Uygun and I. Sulton's «Alisher Navoiy» at the Hamza Theater.

Within a short period, he gained great attention, and the characters he created and the works he staged excited the audience and satisfied lovers of the stage. During the construction of the Fergana Canal, artists also participated actively; they would dig the canal during the day and perform for the workers in the evening. When Usmon Yusupov came to the construction site of the Fergana Canal and saw A. Ismatov and L. Sarimsoqova sweating at work and then performing in a play in the evening, he awarded them the title of «People's Artist of Uzbekistan».

In 1936, at the invitation of the Tashkent Film Factory, A. Ismatov headed to the capital of our republic. In 1937, the film «Qasam» (The Oath), directed by A. Usoltsev-Gaft, became the first sound film produced by the Tashkent studio. In this film, Asad Ismatov participated as a film actor for the first time; creating the character Azim, he poured his entire life experience, knowledge, and love for art into the role, elevating this character to a standard for Uzbek film actors. Later, he performed the role of Umar in the film «Azamat».

In the episodic role of the teahouse owner in director Ya. Protazanov's film «Nasriddin in Bukhara», A. Ismatov succeeded in creating a true character of a son of the people. In 1945, the role of Boboxon in N. Ganiyev's «Tohir and Zuhra» brought great fame to A. Ismatov.

In the historical-biographical film «Alisher Navoiy» directed by K. Yormatov, Asad Ismatov, who played the role of Husayn Boyqaro, was awarded the title of State Prize Laureate. A. Ismatov was able to capture the most important characteristic filled with contradictions inherent in the image of Husayn Boyqaro, portraying him as a person of great talent who could not escape the framework of difficult specific historical circumstances.

Nabi Ganiyev created the film «Farg'ona Qizi» (Daughter of Fergana), reflecting the life of Uzbek laborers, and the character of Jabbor Ota, performed by the actor, became the central figure in this film. In 1952, he played the role of Bobomehnat in the film «Paxtaoy». Asad Ismatov's contribution to the development of Uzbek cinema and theater art was recognized with the honorary title of «People's Artist of Uzbekistan» in 1948 and a State Prize.

The talented Asad Ismatov passed away in 1953. With a series of theater roles and the unique characters he created in feature films like «Qasam» (The Oath), «Tohir and Zuhra», and «Alisher Navoiy», the artist earned a rightful place in the history of Uzbek art.