Telugu superstar and Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan and his wife Anna Konidela have announced their separation after 13 years of marriage. The couple shared the news in a joint statement issued late on Monday night, bringing an end to one of the most talked about marriages in Telugu cinema and Andhra Pradesh politics.
The statement, circulated by Pawan Kalyan’s party Jana Sena, was brief and measured. It said the decision was taken with mutual understanding and respect, and that the two would remain good friends and devoted parents to their children. No reason was given for the split, and the statement did not mention divorce proceedings or arrangements for the children.
“After sharing a significant part of our lives together, we have decided to part ways with mutual understanding and respect. Though our marriage has come to an end, we remain good friends and devoted parents to our wonderful children. Their happiness and well-being will always remain our shared priority. During this personal transition, we seek your understanding, kindness, and respect for our privacy,” the statement read.
A marriage that began on a film set
Pawan Kalyan and Anna first met in 2011 on the sets of the Telugu romantic comedy Teen Maar, directed by Jayanth C Paranjee. Anna, then known as Anna Lezhneva, was a Russian model and actress who had a supporting role in the film. The two married in September 2013.
Over the years, Anna largely stayed away from the spotlight, even as her husband’s public life grew bigger. She made rare public appearances alongside him, including during his political campaigns after he founded the Jana Sena Party. In July this year, she expressed a preference to be addressed as Anna Konidela, taking the family name, rather than Anna Lezhneva.
The couple have two children together, daughter Polena Anjana Pawanova and son Mark Shankar Pawanovich. In their statement, the two stressed that their children’s happiness and well-being would remain their shared priority.
Pawan Kalyan’s third marriage
The separation ends Pawan Kalyan’s third marriage. He first married Nandini in 1997. The couple separated in 1999, and their divorce was legally finalised in 2008. He then married actor Renu Desai in 2009, and that marriage ended in divorce in 2012. He has four children in all, two with Renu Desai and two with Anna.
Pawan Kalyan, the younger brother of megastar Chiranjeevi, is one of Telugu cinema’s biggest stars, with blockbusters such as Kushi, Thammudu, Badri, Jalsa, Attarintiki Daredi and Bheemla Nayak to his name. In 2014 he founded the Jana Sena Party, and after the 2024 Andhra Pradesh Assembly elections he became the state’s Deputy Chief Minister. His party is a partner in the National Democratic Alliance.
What the statement does not say
The joint statement leaves several questions unanswered. It does not say whether formal divorce proceedings have begun, and it says nothing about custody or financial arrangements for the children. Reports citing Jana Sena sources have said the couple have already filed a petition in a Family Court and that the separation is by mutual consent, but the couple themselves have not confirmed any court filing.
For now, the message from both sides is the same: the marriage has ended, the friendship and the parenting continue, and the family wants privacy while it adjusts to the change.
Reaction pours in
News of the separation spread quickly on Tuesday morning, with fans and political supporters reacting across social media. Many expressed sadness at the announcement, while others praised the dignified tone of the joint statement. Neither Pawan Kalyan nor Anna has made any further public comment since the statement was issued.
The announcement also comes at a busy time for Pawan Kalyan, who continues to balance his film commitments with his responsibilities as Deputy Chief Minister. There has been no word from his office on whether his public schedule will change in the coming days.
FAQs
Who announced the separation?
Pawan Kalyan and Anna Konidela announced it together in a joint statement issued late on Monday night, November 9, 2026.
How long were Pawan Kalyan and Anna married?
They were married for 13 years, having wed in September 2013 after meeting on the sets of Teen Maar in 2011.
Do Pawan Kalyan and Anna have children?
Yes, they have two children together, Polena Anjana Pawanova and Mark Shankar Pawanovich. Pawan Kalyan has four children in all.
Has a divorce been finalised?
No. The joint statement announces a separation and does not mention divorce proceedings. Some reports citing Jana Sena sources say a mutual-consent petition has been filed, but this has not been confirmed by the couple.
What did the couple say in their statement?
They said they decided to part ways with mutual understanding and respect, would remain good friends and devoted parents, and asked for privacy during the transition.
The separation of Pawan Kalyan and Anna Konidela closes a 13-year chapter that spanned cinema, politics and family life. Both have asked for understanding and privacy as they move ahead, and for now, that request is the last word on the matter.
