During the event, Bezrukov recalled how four years ago he visited the grave of Tatyana Yesenina, the daughter of the famous poet, in Tashkent. According to him, he arrived at the cemetery at one in the morning with flowers given to him by fans. Despite the cemetery being closed, he was recognized due to his role in the series "Brigada" and was allowed in to lay the flowers. At the same time, the actor mocked the accent of the cemetery director, noting that he "didn't speak Russian but watched 'Brigada'."
On November 21, two and a half months after the aforementioned press conference, the rector of the University of Journalism and Mass Communications of Uzbekistan, Sherzodkhon Kudratkhodja, expressed dissatisfaction with Bezrukov's statements. He criticized the artist for "publicity and pomp," as well as for "patronizing mockery" of another culture and using the cemetery for his own purposes.
Kudratkhodja noted that "decent people in the East" do not wander around cemeteries at night and was outraged that the actor complained about the cemetery director, who "was sleeping" and did not know Russian. He also explained that there is no letter for the sound "ы" in the Uzbek alphabet.
"In pursuit of cheap publicity, you demonstrated that respect for you is a service, and gifts are props. You see the country only as a backdrop for your pomp. Admit that you are not concerned about the cemetery director, but rather that Uzbekistan lives without needing to cater to you," the rector stated. He added that the artist spoke not about "incorrect" Uzbeks, but about himself, who is looking for decorations for his ego.
The rector's post sparked a heated reaction online: some supported his viewpoint, while others accused him of bias and inflating the conflict.
Bezrukov responded to the criticism only after it became a hot topic in his social media. He called the accusations a "provocation," aimed at "driving a wedge and sowing interethnic hatred." The actor also emphasized that he had told the story about the Tashkent cemetery many times, and it was always received with humor, adding that he greatly values Uzbek culture, cuisine, and hospitality. Additionally, he mentioned his friendship with actor Farhat Mahmudov, who is from Tashkent.
"Could Sasha Belyy say something against Uzbekistan and the Uzbek people?" the actor concluded, urging fans to ignore provocations and "rise above this."
