Daijiworld Media Network - Hyderabad
Hyderabad, Nov 11: Actor-politician and Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan and his wife Anna Konidala have announced their separation after 13 years of marriage, stating that they have decided to part ways with mutual understanding and respect while continuing to remain friends and devoted parents to their children.
The couple announced their decision through a joint statement issued late on Monday night through public relations representatives. The statement was also shared by Pawan Kalyan's political party, Jana Sena.
"After sharing a significant part of our lives together, we have decided to part ways with mutual understanding and respect," the statement said.
Clarifying that their separation would not affect their responsibilities towards their children, the couple said, "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."
They also requested privacy and understanding during the personal transition, expressing gratitude to those who had supported them throughout their journey.
"During this personal transition, we seek your understanding, kindness and respect for our privacy. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has stood by us throughout this journey," they added.
Neither Pawan Kalyan nor Anna has publicly disclosed the reasons behind their decision. The joint statement also did not mention any divorce proceedings or specific arrangements concerning the custody and upbringing of their children.
Anna deactivates Instagram account
Meanwhile, Anna Konidala appears to have deactivated her Instagram account following the separation announcement.
Anna had become active on the social media platform over the past few months, sharing glimpses of her family life and personal experiences. Her posts included details about adopting Pawan Kalyan's surname after their marriage in 2013, updates about his health following surgery and photographs celebrating family moments.
Her Instagram account was reportedly deactivated shortly after the couple made their announcement, although neither she nor Pawan Kalyan has commented on the development.
End of Pawan Kalyan's third marriage
The separation marks the end of Pawan Kalyan's third marriage. The actor-politician first married Nandini in September 1997. The couple reportedly separated in 1999, while their divorce was legally finalised in 2008.
In 2009, he married actor and filmmaker Renu Desai. The two had met during the making of the Telugu film Badri in 2000 and were in a relationship for several years. They have two children, son Akira Nandan and daughter Aadhya. Their marriage ended in divorce in 2012.
Pawan Kalyan married Anna Lezhneva, now known as Anna Konidala, in September 2013. The two reportedly met during the filming of his 2011 Telugu film Teen Maar, in which Anna also acted.
The couple have two children together — daughter Polena Anjana Pawanova and son Mark Shankar Pawanovich.
Despite announcing the end of their marriage, the couple have indicated that they intend to maintain an amicable relationship and jointly prioritise the happiness and well-being of their children.