Chulpan Khamatova is a renowned film and stage actress, as well as a well-known philanthropist. Born on October 1, 1975, in Kazan, Tatarstan Republic, Russia, she is an ethnic Tatar. Her name, Chulpan, means "morning star" in the Tatar language.
Khamatova's early life was marked by a passion for figure skating, which she practiced professionally until a back trauma forced her to quit. She then pursued her interest in mathematics, studying at the prestigious School of Mathematics in Kazan. However, she eventually decided to switch to acting, enrolling in the Kazan School of Theatre.
In 1995, Khamatova moved to Moscow to study at the State Institute of Theatrical Arts (GITIS),where she graduated in 1998 under the guidance of Aleksei Borodin. Her film debut came in 1998, when she played Katya in Vadim Abdrashitov's film Vremya tantsora. She gained critical acclaim in Russia for her role in Country of the Deaf (1998) and international recognition for her performance in Luna Papa (1999).
Khamatova's versatility as an actress is evident in her numerous film roles, ranging from the farcical Lara in Good Bye Lenin! (2003) to the charming seductress Nelly in 72 metra (2004). She has also starred in the Russian TV-series Doctor Zhivago, based on the novel by Boris Pasternak.
Throughout her career, Khamatova has been recognized for her outstanding contributions to Russian theatre and cinema. She was designated Honorable Artist of Russia and awarded the State Prize by Russian President Vladimir Putin in 2004. She was a permanent member of the Sovremennik Theatre in Moscow from 1998 to 2022 and collaborated with the Theatre of Nations from 2008 to 2022.
Khamatova's personal life has been marked by her relationships with fellow actors Ivan Volkov and Aleksei Dubinin, with whom she has two daughters, Arina and Alina. Her third daughter, Iya Shein, was born in 2010. She is fluent in Russian, Tatar, German, and English.
In addition to her acting career, Khamatova has been a prominent figure in charitable causes in Russia. She co-founded the charitable initiative "Podari Zhizn" in 2005, which aims to support children suffering from leukemia.
In March 2022, Khamatova left Russia and went into exile in Latvia, citing the Russian war in Ukraine as the reason for her departure. She has since become a permanent member of the troupe at the New Riga Theatre and has made public appearances at anti-war protests in Riga. Khamatova is currently learning Latvian and is adjusting to her new life in Europe with her three daughters.
