Hyderabad: Telugu comedian Fish Venkat died Friday night in a private hospital in Chandanagar after prolonged kidney and liver failure. He was 53.
Born Mangalampalli Venkatesh, Venkat was popularly known by his screen name Fish Venkat – a nickname that stuck from his days selling fish in Musheerabad market. He was on dialysis for several months and was placed on a ventilator recently. A matching kidney donor could not be found in time.
Venkat rose to fame playing comedic side roles in films like Dil, Aadi, Attarintiki Daredi, Gabbar Singh, Adhurs, and DJ Tillu. His Telangana-accented delivery and distinct comic timing earned him a lasting place among Telugu audiences. He appeared in over 100 films, often cast as a character actor delivering short but memorable comic interludes.
Director V. V. Vinayak gave him his first break in the industry, and actor Srihari is credited with bringing him to the silver screen. His daughter, Shravanthi, had recently appealed for financial support to fund his medical treatment. Actors Pawan Kalyan and Vishwak Sen responded with aid.
News of his death prompted condolences from across the Telugu film industry.
