Overview

• Veteran Telugu actor-comedian Fish Venkat died on July 18 in Hyderabad after battling kidney and liver failure and is survived by his wife and three children.
• His daughter’s appeal for ₹50 lakh to fund an urgent kidney transplant was upended by a scammer posing as Prabhas’ assistant, and no aid came from the star’s team.
• Verified donations from actor Pawan Kalyan, Vishwak Sen and a Telangana minister fell short of securing a timely donor match.
• Known for his comic and villainous turns in Bunny, Adhurs, Dhee and Mirapakay, Venkat’s passing underscores healthcare vulnerabilities faced by supporting artists.
• Telugu film peers and industry bodies are mourning his loss and urging the establishment of formal welfare mechanisms for regional cinema professionals.