Legendary actress Meruert Utekesheva will star in the feature-documentary drama "Shokan" about the scientist and traveler Shokan Ualikhanov. The film will be a full-length feature; its online casting recently concluded. The project's author is journalist Maya Bekbayeva. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Kursiv Media.
According to the film's official Instagram account, Utekesheva has been approved for the role of Ualikhanov's grandmother, Aiganym Sargaldakkyzy. Bekbayeva will shoot the film for the Zhetysu TV channel with the support of the Presidential Initiatives Fund "Dara." The release date has not yet been specified.
Historians believe that Aiganym Sargaldakkyzy played a crucial role in shaping Shokan Ualikhanov's personality. It was she who insisted on sending the 12-year-old boy to study at the Omsk Cadet Corps.
The lead role in the film will be played by actor Erlan Kulmurzin. His credits include Kazakhstani films such as "Salem, Europe" and "Patsany."
Recall that recently Meruert Utekesheva was involved in a scandal over a kamzol from the film "Kyz Zhibek": the historical prop ended up with producer Bayan Alaguzova. She then gave an extensive interview to Maya Bekbayeva, admitting that she had never been able to buy an apartment in her life, as serving the theater was always more important. After that, Bayan Alaguzova gifted her an apartment in Almaty and promised to pay an additional pension for life.