VIJAYAWADA, Nov 10: Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan and his wife Anna Lezhneva announced their separation in a joint statement shared with the media on Monday night. They said they had decided to part ways with mutual understanding and respect after sharing a significant part of their lives together.

The couple said their marriage had ended, but they would remain friends and devoted parents. They said the happiness and well-being of their children would remain their shared priority.

At a glance

  • The joint statement was issued on Monday night, November 9, 2026.
  • Kalyan and Lezhneva married in September 2013.
  • They have a daughter and a son.
  • The couple sought privacy, understanding and kindness during what they called a personal transition.

What happened

Kalyan, an actor-turned-politician, and Lezhneva announced their decision in a brief joint statement. The statement did not give a reason for the separation or mention any legal proceedings.

Jana Sena leaders confirmed that the statement was authentic but did not comment further. The couple did not make any separate public remarks on the matter.

Lezhneva is a Russian citizen. She had reportedly worked as a model and actor before her marriage to Kalyan.

Their children are daughter Polena Anjana Pawanova and son Mark Shankar Pawanovich.

Who said what

In the statement, Kalyan and Lezhneva said the decision followed a substantial period of life together and had been taken jointly.

“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 be our shared priority,” the couple said.

They asked people to respect their privacy and show understanding and kindness during the transition. They also thanked those who had stood by them throughout their journey.

The wording of the statement stressed their continuing friendship and joint responsibility as parents. It did not refer to any disagreement between them.

Background

This was Kalyan’s third marriage. He married Nandini in 1997, and the two separated in 1999.

In 2009, Kalyan married Renu Desai. They had a son and a daughter before their divorce in 2012.

Kalyan later married Lezhneva in 2013. He entered public life after a career in Telugu cinema and is a leading figure in the Jana Sena Party.

He serves as Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister.

Why it matters for Assam and the Northeast

The joint statement was confined to the couple’s personal decision and family. It made no reference to Kalyan’s political responsibilities, party work or public engagements.

No further details on the circumstances of the separation were included in the statement.

What next

Kalyan and Lezhneva have not announced any further arrangements following their decision. They have sought privacy as they deal with the transition.

The couple said their focus would remain on the welfare of their children.