Venkateshwaran waited for his son: Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan's wife, Anna Lezhneva, offers hair at Tirumala.

Anna Lezhneva, wife of Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, visited the Tirupati temple and offered her hair (tonsured her head) as a religious vow. Her son, Mark Shankar, had suffered burns in a fire at a school located in a shophouse in River Valley, Singapore. Anna visited the temple to fulfill a vow she had made for her son’s recovery.

Following traditional customs, Anna participated in rituals and offered her hair at the Padmavati Kalyana Katta, according to a statement from the Jana Sena Party. As per the rules of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), Anna—who is a Russian Orthodox Christian—signed declaration forms in the presence of temple officials, affirming her faith in Lord Venkateswara before undergoing the tonsure ceremony.

The fire incident occurred on April 8 during a summer camp. One child died in the incident, and Mark sustained burns on his hands and legs. His lungs were also affected due to the fire. Mark Shankar is the youngest son of Pawan Kalyan and his third wife, Anna Lezhneva.