Who was Fish Venkat? Everything you need to know about the 53 year old Telugu actor who passed away

A Humble Beginning:

Venkat Raj, later known widely as Fish Venkat, was born on August 3, 1971, in Machilipatnam, Andhra Pradesh. Before stepping into films, he worked as a fish seller in Hyderabad. His nickname, which became his stage identity, came from both his background and a memorable early film scene that made audiences take notice.

Stepping Into Cinema:

Fish Venkat’s journey into Telugu cinema began in the early 2000s. His debut came under the direction of Dasari Narayana Rao, a respected name in the industry. Over time, Venkat carved out a place for himself with his energetic performances and authentic Telangana dialect. Though his roles were often small, his presence never went unnoticed.

A Familiar Face in Comedy:

Venkat found his strength in playing comic characters. He had an effortless way of making people laugh, often with just a few lines. Films like Kushi, Bunny, Adhurs, Gabbar Singh, and Mirapakay helped cement his place as a reliable supporting actor. More recently, he appeared in Slum Dog Husband, DJ Tillu, and Coffee with a Killer.

A Battle With Illness:

In the last year of his life, Venkat’s health declined due to kidney failure. He was admitted to a hospital in Hyderabad, where he was placed in intensive care. Doctors recommended a kidney transplant, but despite the urgency, a suitable donor could not be found in time.

Support From Family and Colleagues:

His daughter Shravanthi appealed publicly for financial support to cover medical costs. While some help came from members of the film industry, including actor Pawan Kalyan and Vishwak Sen, the funds were not enough. Meanwhile, reports of false fundraising efforts caused confusion and frustration for the family.

Earlier, speaking to One India, Shravanthi had opened up on receiving help from Prabhas for her father's treatment. ''Daddy isn’t well at all. He is very serious and in the ICU. He needs a kidney transplant. It will cost us at least ?50 lakh. Prabhas’ assistant called us and offered financial assistance. They asked us to inform them when his transplant happens to cover the cost,'' Shravanthi said.

However, these reports were denied by the late actor's family member. Speaking to Suman TV, they said, ''Actually, nothing like that happened. We have been answering every call we get to see if anyone can help us. Some unknown person called us pretending to be Prabhas Anna’s assistant. We found out after that it was a fake call. He doesn’t even know something like this is happening. We have not received any financial help yet.''

Final Days and Farewell:

On July 18, 2025, Fish Venkat passed away in the hospital at the age of 53. He is survived by his wife Suvarna and two daughters. His funeral was held in Hyderabad, attended by family, friends, and fellow artists who remembered his kindness and talent.

A Legacy of Laughter:

Fish Venkat may not have always played the lead, but his contribution to Telugu cinema is unforgettable. His comic timing, genuine performances, and unique voice left a mark on audiences. He will be remembered as someone who brought life to every scene he was in, and laughter to every viewer who watched him.