Shukur Burkhanov

Shukur Burkhanov (Бурханов, Шукур; 15 September 1910 – 15 August 1987) was a Soviet theatre and cinema actor.

Burkhanov was born and grew up in Tashkent (then part of the Russian Empire) in a strict Muslim family. In order to join the Uzbek drama theatre, which was founded in the 1920s, he had to leave home because his family's orthodox religious beliefs forbade acting.

At the time Uzbek theatre was still in its infancy. In 1930 he received training at the Moscow Art Theatre, which he credited as enabling him to play classic roles such as Romeo, Hamlet, and Œdipus.

Burkhanov was involved in Uzbek cinema from its very inception. The Uzbekfilm studio typecast him as a rebel who challenged the old order and traditions.

In the early 1970s he was the subject of a documentary, People's Artist Shukur Burkhanov, narrated by fellow actor Boris Andreyev.

Awards

 * People's Artist of the USSR (1959)
 * Order of Lenin
 * Order of the Red Banner of Labour
 * Order of the Badge of Honour