In 1957, Avdyushko was cast for the leading role in Mikhail Schweitzer's Tight Knot, adapted from a story by Vladimir Tendryakov. He portrayed Pavel Mansurov, an idealist Kolkhoz general secretary who is corrupted by the power of his office. The film had to be heavily censured in order to be released, and its title was changed to Sasha Comes to Life. The full version was only released in 1988.