Otabek Mahkamov (Uzbek: Otabek Mahkamov, Отабек Маҳкамов) (born September 5, 1984) is an Uzbek film actor, lawyer, blogger, and Internet personality. Mahkamov is mostly known for his supporting roles in several Uzbek films. The actor has been in a number of notable films where he played mostly negative characters. He has also appeared in music videos of several Uzbek singers, most notably in Ozodbek Nazarbekov's "Meni kuchliroq sev".

Otabek Mahkamov
Otabek Mahkamov in 2012
Born (1984-09-05) September 5, 1984 (age 40)
NationalityUzbekistan
Occupation(s)actor, lawyer, and Internet personality

Mahkamov's first studio movie appearance was in the 2010 film Boʻrilar 3: Oxirgi qarz (Wolves 3: The Final Debt). In the movie, he played the role of a criminal investigator. He achieved further notability in Uzbekistan after his role as an investigator in the 2011 film Majruh (Insane). Other notable films in which Mahkamov has appeared include Men yulduzman (I'm a Star) (2012), Jodugar (The Witch) (2012), Yondiradi, kuydiradi (My Love, My Pain) (2012), and Fotima (Fotima) (2013). In late 2016, Mahkamov moved to New York City and started uploading video blogs to YouTube.[1]

In 2015, it became known that Mahkamov had made contradictory and false claims about his birthplace, academic qualifications, and skills.[2] The first article that brought to light the contradictions in Mahkamov's claims was published by the Osh-based literature website Ijodkor.[3] A month later the Uzbek entertainment website Sayyod published a short article which stated that Mahkamov had provided Uzbek journalists with false information about his background.[4] The author fell short of directly accusing Mahkamov, but promised to publish a more detailed account of the matter. In an interview with the Uzbek tabloid Bekajon, Mahkamov denied the accusations.[2] However, he refused to comment on the contradictions in his claims, only stating "Those rumors you're talking about are unfounded".[2]

Life

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Otabek Mahkamov was born on September 5, 1984, in either Fergana or Tashkent. In some of his interviews with Uzbek publications, Mahkamov has claimed to have been born in Tashkent.[5] In others, he has claimed to have been born in Ferghana.[6] His father, Abduvahob Sattorovich, died when he was young. His mother, Raʼno Erkinovna, died in 2009.[7]

Career

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According to Uzbek tabloids, Mahkamov has a degree in law and worked as a lawyer.[8][9][10][11][12] The tabloids also claim that he currently teaches at the National Association of Accountants and Auditors of Uzbekistan.[5][13][14]

Mahkamov's first studio movie appearance was in the 2010 film Boʻrilar 3: Oxirgi qarz.[6] He achieved further notability in Uzbekistan after his role as an investigator in the 2011 film Majruh. Other notable films in which Mahkamov has appeared include Men yulduzman (I'm a Star) (2012), Jodugar (The Witch) (2012), Yondiradi-kuydiradi (My Love, My Pain) (2012), and Fotima (Fotima) (2013).[15]

Apart from his roles in feature films, Mahkamov has also appeared in music videos of several Uzbek singers, most notably in Ozodbek Nazarbekov's "Meni kuchliroq sev".[8][16]

Mahkamov has also published his interviews with international celebrities in Uzbek tabloids and magazines.[13][14] So far he has published his interviews with Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa,[17] Frédéric Diefenthal,[18] Armand Assante,[19] Ennio Morricone,[20] and Mithun Chakraborty.[21]

Criticism

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In 2015, it emerged that Mahkamov had made contradictory and false claims about his birthplace, academic qualifications, and skills.[2][3] These contradictions came to light after Mahkamov personally contacted one of the administrators of the Uzbek Wikipedia requesting help in creating an entry about himself.[3] The first article that gave a detailed account of the contradictions in Mahkamov's claims was published by the Osh-based literature website Ijodkor. On March 8, 2015, the Uzbek entertainment website Sayyod published a short article which stated that Mahkamov had provided Uzbek journalists with false information about his background.[4] The author fell short of directly accusing Mahkamov, but promised to publish a more detailed account of the matter.

Mahkamov's claims about his academic qualifications

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According to Uzbek media, Mahkamov has graduated from "Central European Law University" (Uzbek: Markaziy Yevropa huquqshunoslik universiteti, Марказий Европа ҳуқуқшунослик университети) located in Budapest.[6][16] In some of his interviews, Mahkamov has referred to the same university as "Central European Law University under the UN" (Uzbek: BMT qoshidagi Markaziy Yevropa huquqiy universiteti, БМТ қошидаги Марказий Европа ҳуқуқий университети).[12] Another source claims that Mahkamov graduated from the "European Law Enforcement Academy" (Uzbek: Yevropa huquqni muhofaza qilish organlari akademiyasi /Европа ҳуқуқни муҳофаза қилиш органлари академияси) with a PhD in international private law.[22] In reality, no such university exists in Budapest or elsewhere. When Mahkamov was asked whether he was possibly referring to Central European University, he responded by saying "That must be it then".[3] However, Central European University denied anyone of that name had studied there.

In some of his interviews, Mahkamov has claimed to have obtained a PhD from the nonexistent "Central European Law University" (Uzbek: Markaziy Yevropa huquqshunoslik universiteti / Марказий Европа ҳуқуқшунослик университети).[23] In another interview, he claimed to have received his PhD in 2005.[24] Given that Mahkamov was only 21 at the time and it had been only four years since his graduation from high school, this claim was shown to be a lie.[3]

In other occasions Mahkamov has claimed to have simply interned at the "European university" (Uzbek: Yevropa universiteti / Европа университети). In yet another interview, he claimed to have received his BA from the "Central European Legal University" (Uzbek: Markaziy Yevropa huquqiy universiteti / Марказий Европа ҳуқуқий университети) and his MA in the US. However, he did not specify exactly when or where he had received his MA.[12]

Mahkamov's claims about his interpretation skills

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Mahkamov has consistently claimed that he speaks English highly fluently and has native proficiency.[5][11] However, his claims have been questioned.[3] Specifically, he was shown to have done a poor job of interpreting and speaking in the films Yondiradi, kuydiradi (My Love, My Pain) and Kelgindi kelin 2: Anjancha muhabbat (The Alien Bride 2: Love, Andijan Style.[3][25][26] In one of his interviews, Mahkamov stated that he always dubs his own voice while speaking in English.[24]

Mahkamov's response to criticism

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In an interview with the Uzbek tabloid Bekajon, Mahkamov denied the accusations.[2] However, he refused to comment on the contradictions in his claims. He stated that "Those rumors you're talking about are unfounded. I'm sorry, but when writing an article about somebody, shouldn't you be neutral instead of insulting them? The fans haven't insulted me or said negative words [about me]. This means people aren't following anyone. Most importantly, it is only the tree loaded with fruit that the people throw stones at. So, since people are throwing stones at me, I must be a fruit-bearing tree."[2]

Filmography

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Film
Year Film Role
2010 Boʻrilar 3: Oxirgi qarz (Wolves 3: The Final Debt) Member of the criminal investigation team
Baxt izlab (Seeking Happiness) Prosecutor
Onaizor (Mother) Director of the toy story
Oʻgʻrigina kelin (The Light-Fingered Bride) Customer
2011 Erka kuyov (The Spoiled Bridegroom) Prosecutor
Kelganda kelin 2 yoxud Anjancha muhabbat (The Alien Bride 2 or Love, Andijan Style) Interpreter
Majruh (Insane) Investigator
Nafs (Nafs) Boutique owner
Yuzma-yuz (Face to Face) Head of the tender commission
2012 Akajonim xizmatingizdamiz (We're at Your Service, Sir) Attorney
Bardosh (Patience) Head of the engineering company
Jodugar (The Witch) Attorney
Koreyalik kelin (The Korean Bride) Judge
Mehribonim (Kind Person) Investigator
Men yulduzman (I'm a Star) Director
Oqpadar (The Disobedient Son) Banker
Soddagina qiz (The Simple Girl) Judge
Xazina (Treasure) Member of the criminal investigation team
Yondiradi, kuydiradi (My Love, My Pain) Bridegroom
Yoningdaman (I'm By Your Side) Businessman
Oʻjar kelin (The Stubborn Bride) Doctor
2013 Bir kunlik xoʻjayin (One-Day Boss) Doctor
Farzandim 2 (My Child 2) Director's assistant
Fotima (Fotima) Restaurant owner
Gunoh (Sin) Director's assistant
Jannatdagi boʻri bolasi (A Wolfcub in Heaven) Archivist
Koʻcha (Street) Doctor
Oktyabr yomgʻiri (October Rain) Physics teacher
Parchalangan xayol (Shattered Thought) Psychologist
Qora qanotli farishta (Black-Winged Angel) Bankchi
Panjara (Grid) Attorney
Rashk (Jealousy) Notary public's assistant
Turist (The Tourist) Passer-By
Xazon (Fallen Leaves) Uncle of the main character
Oʻlim farishtasi (Angel of Death)
2014 Koʻrgim keladi (I Want to See) Investigator
Qora mushuk (Black Cat)
2015 Baxt ortidagi dard (Sorrow Behind Happiness) Investigator
Onasining bolasi (Like Mother, Like Daughter) Matchmaker
Qizalogʻim (My Daughter) Lawyer
Sevgi, balki bu jannat 2 (Love, Maybe It's Paradise 2)
Yetti olam (The Seven Worlds)
Yuragim seniki (My Heart Belongs to You)
Rashk 2 (Jealousy 2)
2016 Balli, Kamoliddin! (Well Done, Kamoliddin!)
2021 I'm Not a Terrorist Malik
Music videos
Year Song title Artist
2012 "Meni kuchliroq sev" Ozodbek Nazarbekov
"Jonim mening" Otabek Mutalxoʻjayev
"Kel yorim" Rashid Xoliqov
"Seni sevaman" Ulugʻbek Qodirov
2013 "Bevafo yor" Botir Yaminov
"Rolling in the Deep" Shirin
2014 "Yogʻadi yomgʻir" Benom
"Yorim" Munisa Rizayeva
"Devonalarmiz" Yulduz Usmonova
2015 "Qaley-qaley?" Otabek Mutalxoʻjayev

References

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  1. ^ "Отабек Маҳкамов: "Сизга микрофончам ёқмаётган бўлса, янгисини сотиб олиб менга юборишингиз мумкин"" [Otabek Mahkamov: "If you don't like my little microphone, you can buy a new one and ship it to me"]. ProToday (in Uzbek). May 31, 2017. Retrieved July 26, 2019.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Pardayeva, Husniya (April 20, 2015). "Otabek Mahkamov sanʼatda paydo boʻlishi, judolikdan keyingi hayot va soʻnggi mish-mishlar haqida" [Otabek Mahkamov about his career, life after separation, and the latest rumors]. Bekajon (in Uzbek). Archived from the original on July 2, 2015. Retrieved June 12, 2015.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g Atayev, Nodir (January 2015). Davron Hotam (ed.). "Otabek Mahkamov: "Haqiqat yuzini pardalab boʻlmaydi!"" [Otabek Mahkamov: "You can't hide the truth"]. Ijodkor (in Uzbek). Archived from the original on June 16, 2015. Retrieved June 12, 2015.
  4. ^ a b Sardor Komilov, ed. (March 8, 2015). "Huquqshunosman degan aktyor firibgarmi?" [Is the actor claiming to be a lawyer an impostor?]. Sayyod (in Uzbek). Archived from the original on April 9, 2015. Retrieved July 2, 2015.
  5. ^ a b c Rahmonova, Nigora (June 27, 2013). "Otabek Mahkamov: "Har bir inson – ulugʻ ustoz"" [Otabek Mahkamov: "Every person is a great teacher"]. Vodiy Gavhari (in Uzbek): 28–31.
  6. ^ a b c Nabiyeva, Maʼpura (August 9, 2012). "Otabek Mahkamov: "Ulgurmoq bu muvaffaqiyatdir..."" [Otabek Mahkamov: Managing is succeeding...]. Afrosiyob (in Uzbek). Samarkand.
  7. ^ Ustimenko, Gulnora (February 22, 2012). "Otabek Mahkamov: "Kinoga huquqshunos sifatida kelganman"" [Otabek Mahkamov: "I didn't start my career in the film industry as a lawyer"]. Humo (in Uzbek). pp. 6–7.
  8. ^ a b Maxfura (August 13, 2013). "Muxlis tanqidi: Kibr-havoga berilgan qahramonlar ijrochisi hayotda ham shundaymi?" [Fan criticism: Are whose who portray arrogant people also arrogant in real life?]. Muloqot (in Uzbek). Tashkent. pp. 8–9.
  9. ^ "Cлужение другим - неотъемлемая потребность человека" [Serving others is an essential need of humans]. The Red Crescent (in Russian). Archived from the original on March 17, 2014. Retrieved April 11, 2014.
  10. ^ Laylo (October 11, 2012). "Otabek Mahkamov: "Huquqshunosga berilgan eng ogʻir jazo..."" [Otabek Mahkamov: "The most severe punishment for a lawyer..."]. Diyor (in Uzbek). Tashkent. pp. 34–35.
  11. ^ a b Oripova, Feruza (May 10, 2012). "Otabek Mahkamov: "Haqiqat yuzini pardalab boʻlmaydi"" [Otabek Mahkamov: "You can't hide the truth"]. Diydor (in Uzbek). Tashkent. p. 5.
  12. ^ a b c Tojiboyeva, Nafosatxon (December 20, 2012). "Omad — ulgurishda" [Luck is finishing in time]. Sado (in Uzbek). Tashkent. p. 4.
  13. ^ a b Aliyev, Temur (May 5, 2013). Встреча для Вас [A meeting for you]. Novyi vek (in Russian). Archived from the original on March 7, 2016. Retrieved April 11, 2014.
  14. ^ a b Ustimenko, Gulnara (October 24, 2011). Отабек Махкамов: «Никто тебе не друг, никто тебе не враг, но каждый человек тебе великий учитель» [Otabek Mahkamov: "Nobody is your friend, nobody is your enemy, but every person is a great teacher for you"]. Semya (in Russian). Tashkent. p. 8.
  15. ^ Alisher qizi, Nigora (October 1, 2013). "Otabek Mahkamov: "Yigit yetti qirrali boʻlsin yoki..."" [Otabek Mahkamov: "A man needs to be multifaceted or..."]. Doktor Press (in Uzbek). p. 9.
  16. ^ a b Nodira; Sevdora (May 3, 2012). "Otabek Mahkamov: "Yaxshi yurist yaxshi aktyor boʻla olishi kerak"" [Otabek Mahkamov: "A good lawyer must be a good actor"]. Parvona (in Uzbek). Tashkent. pp. 8–9.
  17. ^ Mahkamov, Otabek (2013). "Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa: "Biz baribir osiyoliklarmiz"" [Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa: "After all, we're Asians"]. Vodiy Gavhari (in Uzbek): 24–25.
  18. ^ Mahkamov, Otabek (January 2014). "Frédéric Diefenthal: "Men uchun muhimi – ritm"" [Frédéric Diefenthal: "For me, the most important thing is rhythm"]. Popcorn (in Uzbek). 1: 16–17.
  19. ^ Mahkamov, Otabek (February 2014). "Armand Assante: "5 yildan keyin filmlarni iPhone orqali suratga olishadi"" [Armand Assante: "In five years, people will be making movies using their iPhones]. Popcorn (in Uzbek). 2: 18–19.
  20. ^ Mahkamov, Otabek (February 20, 2012). "Ennio Morricone: "Sharq musiqasi — tilsim"" [Ennio Morricone: "Eastern music is magic"]. Sado (in Uzbek). p. 17.
  21. ^ Mahkamov, Otabek (March 2014). "Mithun Chakraborty: "Oʻgʻlimning raqsi menikidan ustunroq"" [Mithun Chakraborty: "My son dances better than me"]. Popcorn (in Uzbek). 3: 18–19.
  22. ^ Karimova, Dono (November 2010). "Macaulay Culkinning huquqshunosi" [Macaulay Culkin's lawyer]. Kelajak ovozi (in Uzbek). Tashkent. p. 4.
  23. ^ Laylo (October 11, 2012). "Otabek Mahkamov: "Huquqshunosga berilgan eng ogʻir jazo..."" [Otabek Mahkamov: "The most severe punishment for a lawyer..."]. Diyor (in Uzbek). Tashkent.
  24. ^ a b Nabiyeva, Maʼpura (May 17, 2012). "Otabek Mahkamov: "Ulgurmoq bu muvaffaqiyatdir..."" [Otabek Mahkamov: "Managing is succeeding..."]. Tasvir (in Uzbek). Tashkent. p. 18.
  25. ^ Karali, Elizaveta (Director) (2011). Yondiradi, kuydiradi [My Love, My Pain] (DVD) (in Uzbek and English). Tashkent: Sharq Sinema. Event occurs at 1:19:20.
  26. ^ Aʼzamov, Dilmurod and Dilbar Yusupova (Directors) (2011). Kelgindi kelin 2 yoxud anjancha muhabbat [The Alien Bride 2 or Love, Andijan Style] (DVD) (in Uzbek and English). Tashkent: Davr Premer. Event occurs at 00:19:30.
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