Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister and popular actor Pawan Kalyan and his wife, Anna Lezhneva, are going through a highly emotional period after their youngest son, Mark Shankar, was critically injured in a devastating fire at a Singapore school. The tragedy didn’t just shock the family but also caught the attention of the public because of its tragic nature as well as the spiritual reaction of the family.
Pawan Kalyan hurried back to India from Singapore, holding his injured son in his arms. Mark had burn injuries on his arms and legs and was also suffering from respiratory problems due to smoke inhalation. “He will need to undergo a bronchoscopy. The smoke inhalation may have long-term effects,” Kalyan told the media.
After the incident, Pawan Kalyan’s wife, Anna Lezhneva, visited the Tirumala Venkateswara Temple to pray for her son’s speedy recovery. She donated her hair during her visit — an act that signifies faith, surrender, and gratitude in Hinduism. Some photos of her tonsuring ceremony at the temple went viral on social media and were also posted by the Jana Sena Party on its official X account.
తిరుమల శ్రీ వేంకటేశ్వర స్వామి వారికి మొక్కులు చెల్లించుకున్న శ్రీమతి అన్నా కొణిదల గారు.
శ్రీ వరాహ స్వామివారి దర్శనం చేసుకుని అనంతరం పద్మావతి కళ్యాణ కట్టలో భక్తులందరితోపాటు తలనీలాలు సమర్పించిన శ్రీమతి అన్నా కొణిదల గారు. pic.twitter.com/ELBA9IN1EC
— JanaSena Party (@JanaSenaParty) April 13, 2025
Anna Signed Declaration of Faith Before Ritual
Stories surfaced that Anna Lezhneva, being Russian Orthodox Christian by faith, had to fill up a declaration form before her tonsure. The document signed at Gayatri Sadan before temple authorities stipulated that she confirmed her belief in Lord Venkateswara for devotees outside the Hindu community engaging in rituals within the temple.
Hair donation at Tirumala is an age-old custom that represents the shedding of ego and fulfillment of the promise. The devotees donate their hair to the god as an expression of gratitude for granting a prayer or in atonement for past guilt.
Tragedy in Singapore Leaves One Dead, Several Injured
A huge fire erupted in a school within the River Valley neighborhood of Singapore, consuming the second and third floors of a three-story shophouse. About 30 children were present within the structure, participating in workshops on cooking, theater, and robotics when the fire started.
Drastic videos posted on social media reveal firefighters shattering windows to extract trapped students and teachers. Home Affairs Minister of Singapore K. Shanmugam confirmed that a 10-year-old girl was killed in the accident. Nineteen were injured, among them Mark Shankar.
Firefighting units, such as the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF), responded quickly to contain the fire and evacuate the children. Probes into the cause of the fire are ongoing.
While the family waits for Mark’s recovery, the emotional resilience exhibited by both Anna Lezhneva and Pawan Kalyan has drawn support and prayers from fans and well-wishers worldwide.
