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| And Stephen Chow Reveals Why He Chose Dilraba Dilmurat for Kung Fu Soccer. (Credits: Sina) |
Sometimes the biggest film opportunities arrive in the most unbelievable way. That was exactly the case for Dilraba Dilmurat, who has revealed she almost walked away from Stephen Chow's blockbuster Kung Fu Soccer (功夫女足) because she genuinely believed the casting offer was fake. The actress has now shared how a phone call she nearly dismissed became the turning point that brought her back to the big screen, while fresh comments from Stephen Chow have also revealed why he believed she was the perfect choice to lead one of the year's biggest Chinese films.
During a recent interview, Dilraba Dilmurat admitted her first reaction after receiving a call from one of the film's producers was pure disbelief. She was travelling in a car when the unexpected call came through, informing her that Stephen Chow wanted her for his latest project. Instead of celebrating, she immediately questioned whether someone was playing an elaborate prank.
Her doubts were understandable. At the time, she had never heard that Stephen Chow was preparing another feature film, so the offer sounded too extraordinary to be true. In an entertainment industry where rumours appear almost daily, receiving an unexpected invitation from one of Asia's most celebrated filmmakers seemed almost too good to believe.
Everything changed when Stephen Chow personally contacted her. According to Dilraba, the legendary director explained the character in detail and discussed his vision for the film himself. Only then did she realise the opportunity was completely genuine.
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The actress recalled being stunned by the conversation, admitting she never imagined she would one day headline a film directed by Stephen Chow. It was the kind of career moment that arrives once, and fortunately for her, she answered the second phone call.
The interview quickly sparked discussion online for another reason. Many viewers noticed that Stephen Chow had reached out directly to Dilraba, rather than going through traditional management channels.
That detail immediately fuelled fresh conversations across Chinese social media, where rumours have circulated for years regarding the level of support she received from her former management company.
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| Dilraba Dilmurat Thought Stephen Chow's Kung Fu Soccer Offer Was a Scam Before Landing the Lead Role |
Although those rumours have never been officially confirmed, many online users argued that the interview appeared to support long-standing claims that Dilraba did not always receive the strongest backing behind the scenes.
Some fans suggested she might have missed the role altogether had Stephen Chow relied solely on conventional communication. Others joked that ignoring unknown phone calls suddenly looked like a dangerous career strategy.
C-netz praised Stephen Chow for personally reaching out rather than allowing bureaucracy to stand in the way and admired Dilraba's honesty, saying most people would probably think the same if someone randomly claimed one of cinema's biggest directors wanted them to headline a blockbuster.
The story has become even more impressive after learning how much work Dilraba invested once she accepted the role. She plays Yu Long, the number eight striker and attacking star of Team Emei, one of the central figures in Kung Fu Soccer.
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| Dilraba Dilmurat Performance in Kung Fu Soccer Earns Stephen Chow Highest Praise |
Rather than relying on camera tricks or body doubles, the actress committed herself to months of preparation before filming started.
She completed three months of intensive physical training, gained around eight kilograms to better suit the athletic demands of the character, underwent structured football coaching and spent countless hours rehearsing demanding action choreography.
According to Reba, portraying a professional footballer was one of the toughest physical challenges of her acting career. She wanted every movement on screen to feel believable and powerful, so she asked Stephen Chow if she could complete extensive conditioning before production began.
The preparation clearly paid off, as she ultimately performed all of her football sequences herself without using a stunt performer. The commitment has not gone unnoticed by Stephen Chow. During the film's Hangzhou roadshow on 14 July, the director explained exactly why he cast Dilraba as Yu Long, offering glowing praise for her work throughout production.
Related: Kung Fu Soccer Post-Credit Scenes Explained.
According to Stephen Chow, what impressed him most was not simply her acting ability but her willingness to constantly push every performance further. He revealed that he frequently requested additional takes, not because her earlier performances were lacking, but because he believed she always had another unexpected layer waiting to emerge.
The filmmaker described her performances as consistently surprising, explaining that each new take often brought fresh emotional details that elevated the scenes beyond what he originally expected. For a director famous for demanding perfection, that level of praise carries considerable weight.
He also highlighted the reality behind the production schedule. Because filming moved quickly, Dilraba had far less preparation time than many people realised. Despite those limitations, she adapted rapidly, fully embraced the role and delivered exactly what he was looking for.
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| Stephen Chow Explains Why Dilraba Dilmurat Was Perfect as Yu Long in Kung Fu Soccer |
That confidence appears to have been justified. Since premiering on 11 July, Kung Fu Soccer has enjoyed a sensational opening at the Chinese box office.
Within just three days, the film generated more than 500 million yuan, or roughly US$73.7 million, while setting multiple commercial milestones, including the biggest opening-day screening schedule of China's summer season and the strongest single-day box office performance for a summer comedy in the past three years.
ICYMI: Where Was Kung Fu Soccer Filmed?
For Dilraba Dilmurat, the film also marks a major return to feature cinema after an extended break from the big screen. Considering she nearly dismissed the opportunity as nothing more than a suspicious phone call, the story has become one of the most talked-about behind-the-scenes moments surrounding the film's success. Sometimes the difference between landing a blockbuster and missing it altogether really is answering one unexpected call.