Veteran Telugu actor Fish Venkat passes away at 54 after prolonged illness

Renowned Telugu film actor Fish Venkat, known for his memorable roles as a villain and comic sidekick, passed away on Friday, July 18, at the age of 54. The actor had been battling severe kidney-related health issues for several months and had been undergoing regular dialysis after both his kidneys failed.

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Fish Venkat, whose real name was Mangalampalli Venkatesh, gained popularity in the Telugu film industry not just for his acting but also for his unique background. He was nicknamed "Fish Venkat" due to his earlier business in a fish market in Musheerabad. He was introduced to cinema by noted director V.V. Vinayak, and rose to fame with his dialogue “Thodagottu Chinna” from the film Aadi, which became a viral hit.

In recent months, Venkat had been out of the film circuit due to his deteriorating health. He had publicly appealed for financial assistance due to mounting medical expenses. Despite receiving medical care, his condition worsened, leading to his unfortunate demise.

His passing has triggered an outpouring of grief across the Telugu film fraternity. Many actors, directors, and fans have taken to social media to offer their condolences and celebrate his contributions to Tollywood.