Latest news with #VenkatRaj
Mint
19-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Mint
Who was Venkat Raj? Telugu actor aka ‘Fish Venkat' dies at 53 after kidney-related ailment
Telugu actor and comedian Venkat Raj, popularly known as Fish Venkat, passed away on Friday at a hospital in Hyderabad after dealing with kidney-related ailments. He was 53, according to a report by 123 Telugu. Fish Venkat gained popularity for his comedic and villainous roles. He featured in more than 100 Telugu films. Introduced by Dasari Narayana Rao, Raj made his debut with the film Sammakka Sarakka. Known for his strong Telugu dialect, he acted in several hit films, such as Bunny, Adhurs, Dhee, and Mirapakay. His most recent film was the Aha thriller Coffee with a Killer. Fish Venkat also starred in Maa Vintha Gaadha Vinuma with Siddhu Jonnalagadda and DJ Tillu during the COVID-19 pandemic. Venkat Raj was recently admitted to the hospital after his kidney condition deteriorated, leading to kidney failure. He was hospitalised and moved to the ICU, needing a kidney transplant. Venkat's daughter, Sravanthi, in an interview with One India this month, said that actor Prabhas' team had extended financial support to them. '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,' she said. However, Venkat's family later clarified that the offer was fake. '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,' a family member told Suman TV.
New Indian Express
19-07-2025
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
Telugu comedian Fish Venkat passes away at 53
Notable Telugu comedian Venkat Raj, popularly known as Fish Venkat, passed away in Hyderabad on Friday. The actor, who was 53 years old, was battling severe health issues, including kidney failure, for a long time. While the Hyderabad-born actor was largely known for his comic roles and his unique Telangana dialect, especially in films like Bunny, Aadi, Adhurs, Gabbar Singh and DJ Tillu, the actor also played negative roles in many films. His other notable film appearances include Dil, Attarintiki Daredi, and Nayak. The actor's last film appearance was earlier this year in Coffee with a Killer, which released in January. Fish Venkat, who began his acting career in 2000, acquired his screen name because of his background of being in the fish-selling business, which he operated from Musheerabad before becoming an actor. The actor was suffering from kidney-related problems for about 4 years. For the past 9 months, he was undergoing treatment at RBM hospital in Boduppal. The actor was recently placed on a ventilator after his condition worsened and both his kidneys failed. The actor required a kidney transplant, for which the family had been reportedly seeking financial assistance of Rs 50 lakh for some time now, but not to much avail. Although, a few days ago, Vishwak Sen provided a financial assistance of Rs 2 lakhs for the family. Fish Venkat is survived by his wife Suvarna and his daughter Sravanthi.
The Hindu
19-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Telugu actor Fish Venkat passes away
HYDERABAD Well-known character artiste Fish Venkat alias Venkat Raj passed away in a private hospital on Friday (July 18, 2025) in Hyderabad after a prolonged battle with kidney-related ailments. He was 53. Venkat had memorable roles in DJ Tillu, Bunny, Dhee and a host of other Telugu movies where he showed perfect coming timing. His career began with a small role in Pawan Kalyan starrer Kushi (2001) and Aadi (2002). Earlier, his daughter had issued an appeal for financial help to mobilise ₹50 lakhs for a kidney transplant But only a few actors pledged their support. The family was even forced to reveal that a call purportedly from actor Prabhas giving ₹50 lakhs was a fake one.
