In a detailed interview with kp.ru, actor Alexander Berda shared his perspective on why he chose not to maintain communication with colleague Leah Akhedzhakova. The actor clarified that his decision was not driven by politics or ideology but stemmed from a personal dynamic that had developed years earlier. He described a specific moment linked to an open letter he published to Sergei Garmash in 2020, a move that later became a point of contention between him and Akhedzhakova. Berda recalled that the actress advised him against alcohol during a phone conversation with a fellow actor, a conversation that, in his view, revealed more about public perception and private concerns than about any moral standing.
Berda suggested that Akhedzhakova looked for reasons to label him in public discourse, pointing to a pattern where she would accuse others of being informants or fraudsters. He emphasized that, despite his reputation in the acting world for his craft, he perceived a blind spot in her ability to see the human elements behind such accusations. This, he claimed, made the public commentary feel one-sided and ultimately disappointing. The exchange, in his words, left a sense of discomfort about discussing colleagues in a broad, open manner rather than addressing matters privately and with caution.
According to Berda, he never intended to portray Akhedzhakova in a negative light, and he denied that she had visited a hospital during a particularly challenging period as some reports had suggested. He described a request he did make to her to contact the chief physician, but he insisted his efforts did not meet the desired outcome. This sequence of events, he argued, contributed to a gradual erosion of trust or respect between them, rooted more in personal friction than in any public dispute over values or political views.
Berda also highlighted a broader issue among peers when public statements and social media discourse take center stage. He argued that the tendency to publicly critique colleagues for private missteps can be harmful to the professional community. In his view, responsible communication should strive for nuance and empathy, recognizing that private conversations and context often get lost in the speed of online commentary. He suggested that art, in its essence, should bring people together rather than divide them, and that personal grievances should be managed away from the glare of public forums.
The conflict between Berda and Akhedzhakova touches on a larger pattern observed in show business, where public perception can be harsher than the private realities actors face. Akhedzhakova herself had previously spoken about how criticism surrounding the SVO had altered the way some colleagues greeted her. Berda did not challenge the validity of those concerns but urged a more measured approach to disagreement, one grounded in respect for colleagues and a willingness to address disagreements privately. The overall takeaway from Berda’s account is a call for accountability in how friendships within the industry are handled when disagreements arise, and a reminder that professional relationships require tact, even amid strong opinions or controversial issues.