Georgia’s border authorities blocked actor Vitaly Gogunsky from entering the country to shoot a project after he had previously traveled to Abkhazia. The information came from Tabriz Shahidi, the actor’s director, who spoke to socialbites.ca. Shahidi noted that Georgian customs officers behaved politely and that the incident did not feel like a tragedy to Gogunsky, framing it instead as an unexpected hurdle rather than a personal conflict.
The director described the episode as a surprise to Gogunsky, one that might have been avoided with different planning. He emphasized that Gogunsky did not view the event as a catastrophe or a nightmare. The disruption mainly involved minor adjustments to scheduling and logistics. According to Shahidi, the Georgian customs and passport control officers conducted themselves in a considerate manner, engaging in constructive and friendly conversations. Since people from the Russian Federation who visited Abkhazia are not legally permitted to enter Georgia, Gogunsky was escorted to his plane and returned to Moscow without incident. The project’s cast and crew, including the on-set girl and her friends, remained in Georgia, with the director hinting that their connection had only deepened in light of the incident. This interpretation aligns with the actor’s public mood, which stressed resilience rather than grievance.
Previously, Mash had reported that Gogunsky, widely recognized for his role as Kuzi in the television series Univer, was barred from entering Georgia. The channel circulated footage showing the artist boarding a return flight to Moscow under border supervision. The source behind the clip claimed that Gogunsky’s departure occurred at the Tbilisi airport under close border escort. The reports suggested that the actor was slated to participate in a Georgian shoot but could not make it in time for filming. The director attributed the decision to political reasons, framing them as affecting logistics more than personal sentiment.
Gogunsky later commented that the restriction prevented him from spending vacation time with his girlfriend, explaining that entry into Georgia was not permitted. This clarifies the social and professional stakes involved: a planned stay for romance and a professional stay for filming were both impacted by the travel ban. The episode is contextualized by the actor’s signature role in Univer and the anticipation surrounding a potential continuation, where he would reprise the character Kuzi in the series.
In summary, the Georgia-Abkhazia border policy effectively halted Gogunsky’s entry, yet the situation did not escalate into conflict. The incident underscores how regional travel rules and prior destinations influence access to neighboring states, particularly for performers with touring schedules and on-location shoots. The broader takeaway for productions is the importance of contingency planning and clear communication with local authorities to minimize disruption, while the involved cast and crew navigate the complexities of cross-border travel and filming obligations.