A banner for the film Cheburashka appeared in a Crimean cinema with a cut headline and vulgar writing, which drew attention after being noticed by viewers. Reports from the Telegram channel Climb highlighted the incident, noting the moment when the poster went up, the theater staff quickly corrected the mistake, and the name was restored to its proper form. The brief disruption did not affect the screening plans, and the venue took prompt action to fix the misprint so audiences could clearly see the title as intended.
The film Cheburashka, featuring Sergei Garmash among the cast, was originally scheduled for release on January 1, 2023. The project also involved notable actors such as Fedor Dobronravov, Elena Yakovleva, Natalya Schukina, and Artem Bystrov. Olga Kuzmina contributed the voice of Cheburashka, a role she is widely recognized for in her work on the television series Kitchen. The production team and distributors emphasized that the release plan remained on track despite the earlier misprint, with the expectation that the comedy would find its audience across multiple regions, including major cities in Russia and neighboring markets.
Budget discussions surrounding the project have circulated in industry chatter, with some sources noting a substantial figure estimated at 850 million rubles. Those familiar with the film business point to this level of investment as reflecting a strong emphasis on high production quality, advanced visual effects, and a wide promotional push intended to maximize domestic appeal and international interest alike. While exact figures can vary between sources, the reported range underscores the scale at which the production operated and the studio’s hopes for broad distribution and strong box office results.
Cheburashka traces its origins to Russian literary roots. The character was created by writer Eduard Uspensky in 1966 and entered popular culture as one of the central figures in the book Gena the Crocodile and His Friends. The character’s fame soared after the animated feature Crocodile Gena, directed by Roman Kachanov, captivated audiences worldwide and helped cement Cheburashka as a beloved icon in children’s entertainment. The enduring appeal of the character spans generations, evolving through various adaptations and continuing to resonate with viewers who remember the classic cartoon era and discover it anew in contemporary formats.