HONG KONG — Chinese actress Dilraba Dilmurat has revealed she initially dismissed a casting call from legendary filmmaker Stephen Chow as a scam, before transforming her body and learning football skills for his upcoming film Kung Fu Women’s Football.
The Xinjiang-born star, widely known for her roles in Chinese TV dramas, told HOY anchor Wong Ling-yin during a Hong Kong promotional visit that she gained 8 kilograms and adopted a grueling fitness regimen after Chow personally called and assigned the role. “I didn’t see any news online about him making a new film. The secrecy was incredible. I thought, ‘No way,’” Dilraba said. “Then he got on the phone and said, ‘Hello, Reba,’ and I knew it was real.”
The actress, who joins an ensemble cast in the martial arts-soccer comedy, said she began training immediately, even before receiving a full script. After work each day, she ran, climbed hills, and hit the gym to build muscle. Once production started, the cast underwent unified football basics training focusing on coordination and strength.
The Athletic Challenge
Dilraba described the physical demands as the most daunting part of the role. “Football is something I’d never experienced before. The combination of kung fu and soccer—that explosive power and body coordination—was a real challenge for me,” she said. One particularly difficult scene required her to perform a mid-air kick while leaping, a move that demanded precise timing and control.
Chow, who directs and co-wrote the film, has long been fascinated by blending martial arts with sports, a formula he famously perfected in the 2001 hit Shaolin Soccer. Kung Fu Women’s Football marks his return to directing after a decade.
On-Set Chemistry and Nicknames
During filming, Chow affectionately called Dilraba “Bar Ye” (a playful honorific akin to “Uncle Ba”), leading fans to dub them the “Star Ba” duo. When asked about the nickname, Dilraba laughed and dismissed it as rumor. She explained that Chow mostly referred to actors by their character names on set, a technique she said helped everyone stay immersed. “I personally prefer being called by my character name too,” she added.
Dilraba, who grew up watching Chow’s films, admitted initial nervousness before meeting him. “He’s an idol who accompanied our generation as we grew up. But when we worked together, I found him very approachable—he communicates, listens, and co-creates new ways of performing.”
Hong Kong Memories
This marks Dilraba’s second visit to Hong Kong. On her first trip, she explored iconic spots and sampled local street foods like che che noodles and gou zai fen. “It reminded me of scenes from Hong Kong TV dramas I watched as a kid—everyone sitting together eating,” she said.
Asked about favorite Hong Kong actors, she did not hesitate: “Director Chow, of course. And Sister Jialing (Carina Lau)—I met her on set. We don’t share many scenes together, but she’s great at lifting the energy. She was always laughing and cheerful. I hope we can work together again in the future.”
Looking Ahead
Kung Fu Women’s Football is expected to generate significant buzz, with Chow’s brand of slapstick action and underdog stories resonating across Asia. Dilraba’s transformation—both physically and in terms of her on-screen athleticism—positions the film as a potential box-office draw.
As the project moves toward release, audiences are eager to see whether Chow can replicate the magic of Shaolin Soccer with a women-led twist—and whether Dilraba’s leap of faith paying off on screen.
