Vasily Makarovich Shukshin, a renowned actor, writer, and film director, passed away on October 2, 1974, and was buried at Novodevichy Cemetery. However, his burial was initially planned for Vagankovsky Cemetery, as party officials did not allow him to be buried at Novodevichy. Everything changed due to a chance event.

According to legend, as the farewell to Shukshin was coming to an end, it was reported from Vagankovsky Cemetery that the grave was not prepared, and there was no place to bury him. Sergey Bondarchuk, who was in charge of the funeral, panicked and went to the House of Cinematographers to call the Kremlin. At his request, he was connected to Brezhnev, to whom he explained Shukshin's death and the burial location issue. Brezhnev, not immediately grasping the situation, allowed the funeral to be moved to Novodevichy Cemetery.

Such conversations were monitored by the authorities, and just five minutes later, the head of Novodevichy Cemetery called Bondarchuk to inform him that they had a free grave. Thus, Vasily Makarovich was buried at Novodevichy Cemetery, in a grave originally intended for another person. It is located in the first section, in the third row, and is adorned with a modest cross-shaped monument. Every year, many come here to honor the memory of the great actor and man.