Sad news has emerged from the South Indian film industry. Popular comedian and actor Fish Venkat, known for his impeccable comic timing in films like Gabbar Singh, passed away on July 18 at the age of 53. The actor had been battling kidney-related health issues for a long time and was recently admitted to the ICU, where his condition turned critical.

Kidney Transplant Delayed Due to Donor Shortage

Fish Venkat, whose real name was Mangalampalli Venkatesh, was suffering from kidney failure and urgently needed a transplant. His family had been actively seeking help, estimating the transplant cost at around Rs 50 lakh. Despite managing to arrange the funds, a suitable donor could not be found in time, leading to his untimely demise.

False Hope: Prabhas’ Name Misused in Scam

In a heartbreaking twist, the actor’s family revealed they had fallen victim to a fraudulent call. Fish Venkat’s daughter, Shravanti, initially claimed that superstar Prabhas had offered to help financially. However, they later discovered it was a scam, and no such support came from the actor or his team.

“We received a call from someone pretending to be Prabhas Anna’s assistant. He promised to help with the transplant expenses. But later we found out it was all fake,” the family said in an interview with Suman TV. “We haven’t received any help till now.”

The Legacy of Fish Venkat

Fish Venkat earned his nickname due to his Telangana accent, which added to his comedic charm. Over the years, he left his mark in several Telugu films including Gabbar Singh, Aadi, Hippie, and Superstar Kidnap. His style and presence earned him comparisons to veteran actor Rami Reddy.

The entertainment industry and fans alike are mourning the loss of a talented actor whose humor and energy lit up the screen. His sudden passing is a stark reminder of the need for better healthcare access and awareness around fraudulent activities in crisis situations.