'A brother to the whole country': farewell held in Almaty for actor Murat Bissenbin
The farewell was scheduled for 10:00 a.m., but people began arriving long before the start.
Photo: Bolat Aitmolda
From early morning, the area around the mosque was crowded.
Photo: Bolat Aitmolda
Parking nearby was difficult, so many left their cars far away or came on foot.
Photo: Bolat Aitmolda
Photo: Bolat Aitmolda
Despite the cold and the wait, people stood calmly, talked among themselves and shared memories of the actor.
Photo: Bolat Aitmolda
Who came to say goodbye
Among those who came to pay their respects were well-known figures from Kazakhstan’s film industry, including Asan Mazhit, Erden Telemesov, Berik Aitzhanov, Zhan Baizhanbayev, Edil Anarbay, Sanurzhan Suleimenov, Olzhas Togymbet and other popular actors.
Photo: Bolat Aitmolda
Not only cultural figures and colleagues from the stage and screen attended the farewell, but also ordinary residents of Almaty.
Many of them had never met the actor personally, yet felt it was important to come and say goodbye to a man whose roles had become part of their own life stories.
How his loved ones remember him
Colleagues, friends and family spoke not only about Murat Bissenbin’s significant creative career and contribution to Kazakh cinema, but also about what he was like in everyday life — attentive, sincere, principled, honest and deeply humane.
Photo: Bolat Aitmolda
Photo: Bolat Aitmolda
The actor’s daughter, Diana Bulatova, shared memories of her father’s final months and the support the family received from colleagues, friends and fans.
“The last few months were the hardest. Probably no one expected things to turn out this way. After the strokes, it became more difficult with each passing day. The problem was that treatment could not be continued because rehabilitation after the strokes had to come first — and there were two of them. We were told that nothing could be done for the next three months. Oncology treatment was postponed, which made everything especially hard. It all happened at home on the night of January 8,” Diana said.
Photo: Bolat Aitmolda
She added that her father instilled in his children a love for many things.
“It’s hard to single out the best memories because there are so many. Everything connected with him was good. He was a very family-oriented person — everything was always about family and home. His character had many sides. Among the most obvious were his love of sports and painting. He was always teaching us something, passing on his experience,” she said.
Diana also thanked everyone who supported the family.
“Thank you all so much. From the moment the first fundraising efforts began, my father, our whole family and I received an enormous number of messages, words of support and acts of kindness — both moral and financial help. People were always there for us, always in touch. We are deeply grateful for that,” she said.
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The actor’s father, Bolat Bissenbin, also spoke about the last months of his son’s life. According to him, about a year ago Murat’s condition was relatively stable, and he did not lose faith.
“A year ago, things were still okay. He used to say that cancer is not a death sentence, that you have to fight and never give up,” his father recalled.
Later, however, Murat’s condition worsened due to heavy strain. About two weeks before his death, he suffered a stroke.
“There was a heavy workload, and about half a month ago he had a stroke. The main illness was oncological — pancreatic cancer. He spent 11 days in a medical center with the stroke,” Bolat Bissenbin said.
Photo: Bolat Aitmolda
After that, Murat managed to stand up, return home and undergo a short rehabilitation course.
“After 11 days, he got up and came home. Then there was rehabilitation — about five or six days. But at a medical consultation, doctors said that in his current condition it was impossible to continue cancer treatment, as strong medications could have caused unwanted effects,” his father explained.
Following the stroke, Murat continued rehabilitation, but in his final days his condition worsened again.
“After the stroke, he went through rehabilitation for about three days. Lately, when I spoke to him, he had trouble eating and going to the bathroom. We spoke on the phone on the morning of the 8th. Then I was told: ‘We lost Murat,’” he said.
Speaking of his personal loss, Bolat Bissenbin admitted that losing a son is especially painful.
“It’s incredibly hard. The hardest thing is losing children while their parents are still alive. They are supposed to bury us, but it turned out the other way around,” he said.
He also emphasized that Murat led a healthy lifestyle and was deeply devoted to creativity.
“He didn’t drink or smoke, he was into sports. In recent years — into art, acting and cinema. The way he acted, the way he played… I can’t judge that as a father,” he added.
Photo: Bolat Aitmolda
Actor Asan Mazhit, remembering his colleague, said they did not work together often, but every joint project was a joy.
“Everything we did together on set will remain in my memory forever. Murat was very restrained and goal-oriented. He was a man of action — he didn’t need many words, he proved everything through deeds. That’s exactly the kind of person who stays in people’s memory. I think his calm and dignified character is something any man could look up to. If every young man in Kazakhstan had such composure and inner strength, it would be wonderful,” Mazhit said.
For many, Murat Bissenbin was not just an actor, but someone whose characters stayed with audiences for a long time. Viewers loved him for his talent, professionalism and inner honesty. To colleagues, he remained a big-hearted person, attentive to both people and life.
Reaction from colleagues and fans
His death became a major loss for Kazakh culture and sparked a wide public response. Condolences continue to appear on social media from colleagues, viewers and people from various fields. Kazakhstanis remember him as a strong, charismatic and truly people’s actor.
For younger generations, Bissenbin became an example of how a man from Kyzylorda, who earned a degree as a mechanical engineer, was able through hard work and charisma to write his name into the history of cinema.
“Today, a true legend has left us — an entire era. A man who was not just an actor, but a ‘brother’ to the whole youth of our country — to those who watched Racketir in the 1990s and 2000s. Murat was a personal example for ordinary guys. He showed that through hard work, sports and love for creativity, you can break through and achieve something in life. He painted, was an outstanding actor and always kept improving. People like him are the voice of an entire generation,” one Kazakhstani wrote.
What is known about Murat Bissenbin
Murat Bissenbin passed away on January 8, 2026. Details of the circumstances and the exact cause of death have not yet been disclosed. His death became known several weeks after reports of his hospitalization. Earlier, his daughter Diana Bulatova said he had been under medical supervision following a stroke.
In September 2024, Bissenbin told a Tengrinews.kz journalist that he had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and that the tumor was inoperable. He underwent several courses of chemotherapy in Kazakhstan and was considering treatment abroad. Due to his illness, he had to withdraw from some projects and suspend filming.
Murat Bissenbin was born on October 11, 1972, in Kyzylorda. He graduated from a polytechnic institute with a degree in agricultural mechanical engineering, but became widely known as an actor. He rose to fame after playing Ruslan in Racketeer. His filmography also includes Tomiris, The Whole World at Our Feet, A Tale of the Pink Hare, Brothers, Who Are You, Mr. K? and other films.
He was married and raised three children — Vladimir, Diana and Emir.
Murat Bissenbin will be laid to rest at Kensai Cemetery. For colleagues, he will always remain an attentive partner on set who remembered every detail of the filmmaking process, and for viewers — a strong on-screen hero behind whose tough exterior there was always a kind and noble heart.