Hyderabad, April 9, 2025 – Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan’s seven-year-old son, Mark Shankar, has been moved from the emergency ward to a regular room for further tests after a harrowing school fire in Singapore left him with burns and smoke inhalation injuries. The update, shared Tuesday evening, brought relief to fans and family as the Tollywood icon-turned-politician rushed to his side with brother Chiranjeevi and wife Surekha.
The blaze erupted Tuesday morning at a shophouse on River Valley Road, where Mark’s summer camp was underway. A 10-year-old girl tragically died, and 20 others, including Mark, were hurt—six adults and 16 kids aged 6-10, per Singapore police. Mark suffered burns on his hands and thighs and underwent a bronchoscopy under general anesthesia for smoke-related breathing issues. “He’s recovering well, thanks to everyone’s prayers,” Pawan told reporters at Hyderabad airport before boarding a late-night flight, per Hindustan Times.
The family landed in Singapore overnight, greeted by a flurry of concern from PM Narendra Modi, who called Pawan, and the Singapore High Commissioner, who assured support. “It’s a tough day—my elder son Akira’s birthday coincided with this,” Pawan said, voice heavy, as he cut short an Andhra tour. His wife, Anna Lezhneva, was “rattled” but by Mark’s bedside, sources told India Today.
Mark’s shift from ICU signals progress, though doctors are monitoring for long-term lung effects—a quiet worry for the clan. The fire’s cause remains unclear, with police ruling out foul play so far (NDTV). Meanwhile, posts on X hail Pawan’s grit, with one user noting, “From deputy CM duties to dad mode—humanity shines.”
This isn’t just a family saga—it’s a stark reminder of safety gaps in unexpected places. As the Mega family rallies around Mark, the question lingers: will this tragedy spark tighter oversight at learning hubs worldwide?
