He was internationally renowned as one of Russian cinema's most notable independent directors, with awards from the Berlin and Venice Film Festivals, and was a People's Artist of Russia.

[1][2] Around that time, he developed an interest in amateur filmmaking, and transferred to the Мendeleev University of Chemical Technology because it was equipped with a film studio for students.

[3] After graduation as an engineer, he worked as a manager at the Moscow Electric-Vacuum Industry, which was making colour TV tubes.

In 1975 Abdrashitov met with then unknown writer Aleksandr Mindadze, beginning a collaboration that lasted for the next 12 films over 30 years.

[10][11] Abdrashitov was married to artist Natella Toidze, a member of the Russian Academy of Arts.