Russian actor Stanislav Duzhnikov has revealed that his 19-year-old daughter Ustinya forbade her parents from influencing her choices or interfering when she applied to drama school.
The performer, who achieved widespread recognition playing the character of Lenya in the hit television sitcom Voronins, discussed the details of raising his daughter Ustinya during a recent interview with Fifth Channel.
Duzhnikov praised Ustinya for demonstrating such strong independence throughout the university application period. He explained that his daughter had presented her parents with a direct ultimatum, declaring that if they attempted to participate in her enrollment process in any way, she would cut her hair short and enter a convent.
Parenting approach and family dynamic
The actor noted that he actively tries not to lecture his daughter or burden her with solemn fatherly conversations. He admitted, however, that Ustinya still calls him a smothering bore, explaining that she bestows the label because he frequently sits down with her to offer unsolicited life advice and share words of wisdom.
The description used by his daughter highlights the widely used Russian slang term dushnila, a colloquial word derived from the verb meaning to suffocate, which describes a tedious, overly serious, or pedantic individual who smothers those around them with dreary lectures. Duzhnikov, who holds the title of Honoured Artist of Russia, is a veteran screen and stage actor whose starring role as Lenya Voronin in the long-running sitcom Voronins made him one of the most recognizable television personalities in the nation.
Drama institute and online rumors
Ustinya ultimately secured her spot at the Boris Shchukin Theatre Institute, one of the premier drama academies in Moscow. Established as the training school for the Vakhtangov State Academic Theatre and named in honor of the acclaimed Soviet actor Boris Shchukin, the institute is celebrated across Eastern Europe for its rigorous conservatory training and prestigious roster of acting alumni.
The actor's comments regarding his home life come after the Honoured Artist of Russia was forced to publicly address and refute widespread rumors circulating online that claimed he had passed away. Duzhnikov emphasized at the time that the vast majority of biographical details and news stories published about him on the internet are entirely false.
