Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister and actor Pawan Kalyan’s separation from his third wife, Anna Lezhneva, after 13 years of marriage has brought his old comments about marriage and divorce back into the spotlight.

Pawan Kalyan and Anna announced their separation on Monday night through a joint statement, saying they had 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,” the statement said.

Interestingly, Pawan Kalyan had once revealed that he never intended to get married in the first place.

During his appearance on Nandamuri Balakrishna’s talk show in 2023, Pawan spoke openly about his three marriages and the criticism he faced over his personal life.

“I wanted to remain a bachelor and go the yoga way,” he said, adding that he had never planned the unexpected turns in his personal life.

Speaking about his first marriage, Pawan said it was arranged by family elders. However, the relationship did not work out.

“My first marriage was very conventional. It was arranged by elders. But not everything works out in a relationship. So, couples separate,” he explained.

Pawan married Nandini in 1997, but they separated in 1999. Their divorce was finalised in 2008.

He later married actress Renu Desai in 2009. The couple have two children, Akira Nandan and Aadya, before parting ways in 2012.

Addressing the criticism over his marriages, Pawan said he had never been married to three women at the same time.

“I married three times. I didn’t marry three people at the same time. As it didn’t go well, I had to marry thrice,” he said.

He also maintained that his marriages were not driven by desire or infatuation and that the separations had caused him considerable pain.

Pawan subsequently married Russian actress Anna Lezhneva in 2013. They have a son, Mark Shankar Pawanovich, and a daughter, Polena Anjana Pawanova, from Anna’s earlier relationship.

Meanwhile, Pawan’s second wife, Renu Desai, recently spoke about the continued public scrutiny she faces because of her divorce.

Speaking on the Vishal Talks podcast, Renu said she was still being judged for her past relationship, even after nearly 14 years.

“It’s been 14 years. Even Lord Ram was in exile, but for only 14 years. When will my exile end?” she asked.

With Pawan Kalyan’s third marriage now coming to an end, his old remarks about never wanting to marry and the pain of failed relationships have once again become a topic of discussion on social media.