Fri Jul 18 17:10:00 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a news article summarizing the information provided:
**Telugu Film Industry Mourns the Loss of Comedian Fish Venkat**
**Hyderabad, India** – The Telugu film industry is in mourning following the death of popular comedian Fish Venkat. He passed away on Friday night after a prolonged battle with kidney-related ailments. He was best known for his comedic roles and contributions to numerous Telugu films over the years.
Venkat’s passing comes as another blow to the industry, following the recent deaths of veteran actors Kota Srinivasa Rao and B. Saroja Devi. News of his death has prompted an outpouring of grief from family, friends, colleagues, and fans who are sharing memories and tributes on social media.
Fish Venkat rose to prominence with his role in the V.V. Vinayak-directed film “Aadi,” where his line “Chinna Thodakottu Chinna” became instantly iconic. He continued to collaborate with Vinayak in films like “Dil,” “Bunny,” and “Chennakesava Reddy.” Venkat often credited Vinayak as his “Godfather” in the industry, acknowledging the director’s significant role in launching his career.
He also found success working with director Harish Shankar, appearing in films such as “Mirapakay,” “Gabbar Singh,” and “Subrahmanyam For Sale.” His performance in “Gabbar Singh,” particularly the Antyakshari scene, remains a fan favorite.
Known for his candidness, Venkat had shared anecdotes about his early days in the industry, including instances where he inadvertently kept actors Allu Arjun and Nandamuri Balakrishna waiting on set due to oversleeping after late-night gatherings.
Born in Machilipatnam, Andhra Pradesh, Fish Venkat hailed from a fishing community. He had a close bond with the late actor Srihari, whom he credited for encouraging him to pursue a career in the film industry. Venkat’s contributions to Telugu cinema will be fondly remembered by his fans and colleagues.