Fri Jul 18 17:10:00 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a news article summarizing the text, followed by a brief summary:

**Summary:**

Popular Telugu actor Fish Venkat, known for his comedic and character roles in over 100 films, has passed away at the age of 53 after a battle with kidney disease. He gained recognition after film Aadi and was appealing for financial assistance for a kidney transplant before his death.

**News Article:**

**Telugu Actor Fish Venkat Passes Away at 53**

**Hyderabad, India** – Popular Telugu actor Fish Venkat (Mangiapalli Venkatesh), best known for his comedic and character roles in numerous hit films, has died at the age of 53. He passed away Friday night at a private hospital in Hyderabad after a prolonged battle with kidney disease.

Venkat had been undergoing treatment, including dialysis, for kidney failure after both kidneys had stopped functioning. His family had recently appealed to the public for financial assistance, stating that they were struggling to afford the necessary medical care, including a kidney transplant.

Fish Venkat was a familiar face in the Telugu film industry, having appeared in over 100 movies including “Aadi,” “Dil,” “Bunny,” “Attarintiki Daredi,” “Gabbar Singh,” and the recent “DJ Tillu.” His last film was “Coffee with a Killer”.

Before entering the film industry, Venkat worked as a fish merchant, earning him the nickname “Fish” Venkatesh. He was introduced to the film world through late producer Maganti Gopinath, leading to his debut role in the 1991 film “Jantar Mantar.” While the role didn’t bring immediate fame, he continued to pursue acting.

His breakthrough came in 2002 with the film “Aadi,” directed by V.V. Vinayak, whom Venkat credited as his godfather in the industry. He was also grateful for support by late actor Srihari.

Venkat is survived by his family, who reside in Ramnagar, Hyderabad. His loss will be felt by the Telugu film community and his many fans.

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