Bulat Kalymbetov Biography: Net Worth, Age, Movies, Career, Height, Wife, Parents

Bulat Kalymbetov is a Kazakhstani film director, actor, and screenwriter whose career spans over four decades in Soviet and post-Soviet cinema.

He gained prominence with co-directing the poignant war drama The Last Cold Days (1993) and has since helmed features like Aynalayyn (1990) and the biographical epic Mukagali (2021), which swept awards including Grand Prix at St. Andrews and METAL Film Fest.

Kalymbetov’s works often delve into Kazakh history, poetry, and human endurance, blending lyrical storytelling with social insight. As a professor at the Kazakh National Academy of Arts, he mentors the next generation while contributing to over 50 films as an actor and crew member at Kazakhfilm Studios.

Profile

• Full Name: Bulat Nurgalievich Kalymbetov
• Stage Name: Bulat Kalymbetov
• Born: June 20, 1955
• Age: 70 years old
• Birthplace: Narynkol, Kazakhstan
• Nationality: Kazakhstani
• Occupation: Film Director, Actor, Screenwriter, Educator
• Height: Unknown
• Parents: Mr. and Mrs. Kalymbetov
• Siblings: Unknown
• Spouse: Unknown
• Children: Unknown
• Relationship: Unknown
• Net Worth: $1 million

Early Life and Education

Bulat Nurgalievich Kalymbetov was born on June 20, 1955, in Narynkol, Kazakhstan, to parents referred to as Mr. and Mrs. Kalymbetov. There is no publicly available information about him having siblings.

Kalymbetov pursued acting at the Kazakh State Conservatory before advancing to the directing faculty at the Almaty State Theater and Art Institute, graduating in 1989 under renowned professors like People’s Artist H. Bukeeva.

He immersed himself in theater and early film projects during studies. He is of Kazakh heritage, though he keeps his religious beliefs private.

Career

Bulat Kalymbetov launched his career in the 1980s as an actor in Kazakhfilm productions, appearing in over 50 films while honing directing skills through theater and shorts. He joined the Union of Cinematographers of the USSR in 1984 and co-directed his breakthrough The Last Cold Days (1993) with Bulat Iskakov, a WWII-era story of displaced children that premiered internationally and showcased his empathetic lens on youth and loss.

Kalymbetov directed Aynalayyn (1990), a lyrical exploration of rural life, early in his solo efforts. He balanced acting roles with scriptwriting, contributing to Soviet-era dramas.

These foundational projects at Kazakhfilm built his reputation for authentic Kazakh narratives.

Kalymbetov expanded into features like Talan and Seker in the 2000s, addressing themes of fate and sweetness in everyday struggles, while teaching acting at the Kazakh National Academy of Arts. He directed Ademoka’s Education and Kempyr, intimate portraits of personal growth and elder wisdom that earned domestic acclaim.

In 2021, Mukagali marked his return to prominence, a biopic on poet Mukagali Makataev that won Grand Prix at St. Andrews and five awards there, plus top honors at Dubai’s METAL Fest.

Kalymbetov collaborated with non-professional casts from his hometown for realism. His mid-career bridged Soviet minimalism with post-independence boldness.

Bulat Kalymbetov sustains his influence through education and selective directing, guiding students at the Academy while preparing new scripts on Kazakh identity. He oversees retrospectives of his work at Almaty festivals and contributes to national film preservation.

Kalymbetov’s filmography inspires regional filmmakers with its poetic restraint and cultural depth. His legacy endures in classrooms and screens across Central Asia.

Social Media

• Instagram Handle: Unknown
• Facebook Handle: Bulat Kalymbetov
• Twitter Handle: Unknown

Personal Life

Bulat Kalymbetov maintains a private personal life and has not shared details about a spouse or children. He divides time between Almaty and Narynkol, where he draws inspiration from familiar landscapes.

Kalymbetov enjoys classical Kazakh literature and quiet hikes in the Altai foothills.

Filmography

• Aynalayyn (1990)
• The Last Cold Days (1993)
• Talan (2000s)
• Seker (2000s)
• Ademoka’s Education (2010s)
• Kempyr (2010s)
• Mukagali (2021)

Net Worth

Bulat Kalymbetov has an estimated net worth of $1 million. His earnings flow mainly from Kazakhfilm salaries, festival prizes like those for Mukagali, and state cultural grants.

Teaching professorship at the Academy and screenplay royalties offer consistent support. International distribution fees for select features add to his revenue.