Pawan Kalyan Shares Updates on Son Mark’s Health: ‘He Is Gradually Recovering’
April 8, 2025, 12:01 PM PDT — Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister and actor Pawan Kalyan has provided a heartfelt update on the health of his youngest son, Mark Shankar Pawanovich, following a tragic fire accident at his school in Singapore. In a statement released Tuesday evening, Kalyan reassured fans and well-wishers that the 8-year-old is “gradually recovering” in a Singapore hospital, where he’s being treated for burn injuries and smoke inhalation sustained during the incident earlier that day.
The fire broke out at 9:45 a.m. local time in a River Valley shophouse hosting a summer camp, engulfing the second and third floors where Mark and about 30 other students were trapped. According to Singapore’s Civil Defence Force, 19 people—15 children and four adults—were hospitalized, with one child tragically losing their life. Mark suffered burns to his hands and legs and inhaled significant smoke, prompting doctors to perform a bronchoscopy to assess potential lung damage. “He’s under general anesthesia for the procedure,” Kalyan told reporters earlier Tuesday, adding, “The smoke inhalation will likely have long-term effects.”
Kalyan, who was touring the Alluri Sitarama Raju district in Andhra Pradesh when he received the news, initially downplayed the call as a minor mishap while in Araku. “When I heard about it, I thought it was small—but it’s grave,” he admitted to India TV, visibly shaken as he briefed the media. Despite urgings from his Jana Sena Party and officials to rush to Singapore, Kalyan honored a promise to visit Kuridi village near Araku, interacting with tribal locals before departing Visakhapatnam for Singapore Tuesday night. “I gave my word to them,” he explained, balancing duty with family.
In his evening statement, Kalyan expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support. “Our youngest son, Mark Shankar, was injured in a school fire in Singapore and is being treated in hospital. He is gradually recovering,” it read, per The Indian Express. He highlighted a call from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who offered encouragement and directed the Indian High Commissioner in Singapore to assist—a gesture Kalyan said “gave him courage.” Andhra Pradesh CM N. Chandrababu Naidu, Telangana’s K.T. Rama Rao, and others, including Jagan Mohan Reddy, also extended prayers, with fans holding poojas at temples for Mark’s recovery.
The incident, occurring on elder son Akira Nandan’s birthday, struck an emotional chord. “The boy next to Mark suffered third-degree burns—it’s heartbreaking,” Kalyan shared, per Gulte. Posts on X reflect the public’s concern and relief: “Thank God Mark’s recovering—Pawan’s strength is inspiring,” one user wrote, while another prayed, “Get well soon, little champ.” Mark, born October 10, 2017, to Kalyan and Russian actress Anna Lezhneva, remains under close medical watch, with doctors cautiously optimistic despite long-term respiratory concerns.
As Kalyan lands in Singapore—cutting short a packed political slate amid Trump’s tariff-driven market chaos—this update offers hope amid a dark day. “Mark Shankar is gradually recovering due to these good-hearted wishes and blessings,” his statement concluded, a father’s relief resonating far beyond Andhra Pradesh.
