Polina Gukhman spoke with socialbites.ca about how her athletic roots shape her approach to acting and the characters she breathes life into. The young performer, known for her role in the series “Diagnosis Lucky,” described how rhythmic gymnastics left a lasting imprint on her personality and work ethic.
She explained that while ballet never quite forged her character in the same way, rhythmic gymnastics—an activity she began at the age of three—made a deeper mark. It wasn’t the artistry that defined her, she noted, but the fierce discipline, the relentless pursuit of excellence, and the willingness to sacrifice for victory. Those elements, she felt, molded a part of her makeup that she carries into every project.
Gukhman emphasized that the perseverance she developed through gymnastics is the cornerstone of her stubborn resolve. It is the kind of grit that shows up when an audition is tough, when a scene demands multiple takes, or when the path to a breakthrough seems long and winding. Her description makes it clear that such resilience comes from years of training, galleries of competition results, and the mindset of giving everything toward first place.
From a very young age, she carried a mindset of immersion in every role she took on and a clear drive to produce tangible outcomes. Even after more than a decade in front of cameras and on stage, her approach to work remains grounded in that same determination—the idea that commitment and consistency are nonnegotiable in building a lasting career.
At just 17, Polina Gukhman has accumulated a surprisingly extensive list of screen and stage credits. Her repertoire spans nearly thirty projects, including television series such as Friendship, Chewing Gum!, The Last Axel, and Frozen Ground. Each project has contributed to a growing recognition within the industry and among audiences who have followed her ascent from the early days to more recent, high-profile roles.
The film Masha, in which she participated, earned the Best Debut award at the Kinotavr festival in 2020, a milestone that underscored her potential and placed her on the radar of critics and filmmakers alike. This achievement reflects not only her talent but also the strategic choices that have guided her career through a combination of perseverance, versatility, and a readiness to seize opportunities as they arise.
In discussing her craft, Gukhman articulates a philosophy of work that resonates with many would-be actors who start with a strong, physical discipline and then translate those energies into nuanced performances. She suggests that the skills learned through demanding training are transferable—the precision, timing, and endurance honed in practice become invaluable tools when collaborating with directors, shaping characters, and navigating the rhythms of production schedules. For audiences, this context helps explain why her portrayals carry a distinctive energy and focus that set her apart in a crowded field.
Her story offers a compelling portrait of a performer who remains grounded while reaching for broader horizons. The journey from a young gymnast to a versatile screen actress embodies a narrative of consistency and growth, punctuated by significant milestones and ongoing development. Readers and viewers who follow her career can expect more roles that showcase the same blend of physical discipline and expressive range that has become her signature.
Readers are invited to explore the full interview with the actress to gain additional insights into her background, influences, and the choices that continue to shape her evolving career.