A wave of sorrow has swept through the Telugu film industry with the demise of popular actor Fish Venkat at the age of 53. He had been battling kidney-related health issues for some time and was undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Chandanagar, Hyderabad. He passed away around 10 PM on Friday night.
Fish Venkat’s real name was Mangalampalli Venkatesh. He earned the nickname “Fish Venkat” due to his background in selling fish at the Musheerabad market. He made his debut in the film industry as a character artist in the year 2000 with the film Sammakka Sarakka, directed by Dasari Narayana Rao.
Over the years, he entertained audiences with his unique style of acting in over 100 films, including notable ones like Kushi, Aadi, Chennakesava Reddy, Dil, Bunny, Yogi, Krishna, Adurs, Racha, Gabbar Singh, and DJ Tillu. He also acted in Tamil films such as Madurey and Siruthai. Known for his roles as a character artist, villain, and comedian, Fish Venkat carved a niche for himself in the industry.
In recent times, both of his kidneys were damaged, and he was surviving on dialysis. Doctors had recommended a kidney transplant, which was estimated to cost around ₹50 lakhs. His daughter had recently appealed to the media and public for financial help, stating that the family could not afford the treatment.
As his health further deteriorated, he was put on a ventilator and eventually breathed his last. His death has deeply saddened the Telugu film fraternity, with many celebrities expressing their condolences and paying tribute to the beloved actor.
