The Telugu film industry and his countless fans are grieving deeply over the loss of beloved veteran actor Venkat Raj, famously known as Fish Venkat. Kidney failure claimed his life at a private hospital in Hyderabad on Friday. His age was 53.
Fish Venkat was well-known for his iconic villainous portrayals, comic timing, and unique Telangana accent. He had been dealing with severe health problems brought on by the failure of both kidneys for the previous nine months.
He was put on a ventilator as his condition deteriorated in recent weeks despite receiving dialysis and extensive treatment. Unfortunately, he could not be rescued, no matter how hard the physicians tried.
Hyderabad-born Fish Venkat began his film journey with the 2000 hit movie *Kushi*, marking the start of a memorable acting career. He soon gained popularity and delighted viewers with standout roles in popular films like DJ Tillu, Aadi, Bunny, Adhurs, and Gabbar Singh.
Even though he was praised for his comedic parts, he also made a name for himself as an eccentric antagonist, making an impact in each part. Coffee with a Killer, Narakasur, and Slum Dog Husband were some of his more recent motion pictures.
Due to Fish Venkat’s renal illness, his family had been dealing with serious financial and medical difficulties for a number of months. His daughter, Shravanti, had earlier revealed that a kidney transplant—estimated to cost around ₹50 lakhs—was urgently needed for his survival. The family had requested state assistance due to their financial difficulties. Despite receiving some financial assistance, reports suggest that finding a qualified donor remained a significant obstacle.
Fish Venkat’s daughter Shravanti and wife Suvarna survive him.