- Tuesday, April 15, 2025
By: Vibhuti Pathak
Pawan Kalyan’s wife, Anna Lezhneva, recently made headlines for her spiritual gesture at the Tirumala Tirupati temple following the safe return of their son, Mark Shankar, from a tragic fire accident in Singapore. Anna, a Russian Orthodox Christian by faith, offered her hair at the revered temple as a mark of gratitude for her son’s survival and recovery, a gesture that has sparked emotional and spiritual discussions across social media.
Mark Shankar, the son of actor-turned-politician and Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, was injured in a fire incident at his school in Singapore. According to Pawan, the young boy suffered burns on his hands and legs and also developed breathing complications due to smoke inhalation. Despite the trauma, he is now in stable condition and recovering well under medical care. Pawan Kalyan recently returned to Hyderabad with Anna, Mark, and their daughter, Polena Anjana Pawanova, following the incident.
Yes she is Pawan Kalyan garu’s wife
Anna Lezhneva following the tonsuring ritual at Tirumala TirupatiSigned the declaration form as per TTD rules & took Darshana of Venkateshwara swamy 🔥🔥
This is for the Haters who troll him
Jayatu Sanatan
Govinda Govinda 🙏🏼 pic.twitter.com/0Up62wBEvh— Sheetal Chopra 🇮🇳 (@SheetalPronamo) April 13, 2025
In an act of faith and thanksgiving, Anna visited the Tirumala Tirupati temple and offered her hair at the Padmavati Kalyana Katta. According to the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) and an official statement from the Jana Sena Party, Anna signed a declaration affirming her belief in Lord Venkateswara before participating in the temple rituals. This declaration is required for non-Hindu devotees who wish to take part in the religious customs of the temple.
Anna also took part in the Suprabatha Seva, one of the early morning rituals conducted at the Tirupati temple, further highlighting her devotion and gratitude. Images and videos of Anna’s visit and ritual participation have gone viral on social media, sparking both admiration and curiosity. While some questioned how a Christian could take part in Hindu temple rituals, many others appreciated her willingness to honor her son’s recovery through a deeply spiritual and culturally rooted gesture.
The Jana Sena Party emphasized that Anna’s offering was a personal act of faith and gratitude. Pawan Kalyan himself expressed immense thankfulness for the support his family received during the crisis. He thanked Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his office for their prompt assistance, as well as Singapore authorities for facilitating the rescue and rehabilitation of his son. He also acknowledged the outpouring of support from fans, friends, film industry peers, and political allies.
In his public statement, Pawan said, “I once again thank you for your thoughtful and compassionate intervention, which has given immense strength to my family during this challenging time. I wholeheartedly thank leaders from various political parties, the Jana Sena Party, JanaSainiks, and supporters across the globe for standing by our family.”
Anna Lezhneva’s heartfelt gesture at Tirupati stands as a powerful symbol of cross-faith devotion and the emotional strength of a mother during times of crisis. Her act has brought attention not only to her personal faith but also to the inclusive spiritual fabric of India.
