He made us laugh for decades. Now, he has left us in silence.

Telugu cinema is mourning one of its most beloved character actors, Fish Venkat, who passed away at the age of 53 due to multiple organ failure. The news broke early this morning, sending shockwaves across the South Indian film industry and leaving fans in tears.

Fish Venkat, born Venkata Rao, wasn’t the typical hero, but his journey was nothing short of heroic. Starting his career behind the scenes in the Telugu film industry, he slowly fought his way into the spotlight. From being an unnoticed extra to becoming a cult figure in comic roles, his path was one of perseverance, pain, and pure love for cinema.

He had been admitted to a private hospital in Hyderabad a few days ago due to complications from a chronic illness. According to hospital staff, his condition deteriorated rapidly over the last 24 hours, leading to multiple organ failure. Despite doctors’ best efforts, Fish Venkat breathed his last around 2:30 AM.

His family was by his side. Sources close to the actor revealed that his final moments were peaceful. But the void he leaves behind is anything but.

Fish Venkat became a household name not through lead roles or grand promotions, but through unforgettable screen presence. His comic timing, deadpan expressions, and street-smart dialogues brought much-needed relief in intense scenes. For many Telugu moviegoers, no masala film was complete without a scene-stealing moment from Fish Venkat. He had the rare gift of turning a two-minute appearance into a meme-worthy memory.

Over a span of two decades, he appeared in over 150 films, often alongside some of the biggest stars in the industry—Pawan Kalyan, Ravi Teja, Mahesh Babu, Allu Arjun, and many others. Yet, he never let fame cloud his simplicity. He was known to travel by auto-rickshaw, hang out with junior artists, and treat fans with unexpected humility.

Social media has been flooded with tributes. Fellow comedian Ali wrote, “It’s difficult to imagine sets without your laughter. Your presence made bad days better.” Allari Naresh called him “the heartbeat of background comedy.” Film producer Bandla Ganesh tweeted, “Gone too soon, Venkat. Your timing was priceless. Your smile, unforgettable.”

Clips from his iconic scenes in “Venky,” “Dubai Seenu,” “Gabbar Singh,” and “Kick” are now trending across Twitter and Instagram. Young fans who never met him are sharing how his one-liners lifted their moods during hard times. Some are even organizing street-screenings of his comedy bits tonight as a tribute.

But behind the laughs was a man who struggled in silence.

Venkat had spoken in previous interviews about being typecast and underpaid. “People laugh, but they don’t know the tears behind the clown,” he once said. He never married, choosing instead to live with and support his aging mother and siblings in their modest Hyderabad home. Friends say he often donated to junior artist unions and helped those in worse financial shape than him, without ever publicizing it.

His story is one of silent sacrifice—a reminder that not all stars shine in the center of the screen. Some light up the corners in ways we only notice when they’re gone.

The actor’s body has been moved to his family residence in Moosapet, where fans have already started gathering. The funeral is scheduled for tomorrow afternoon, with many actors from the industry expected to attend. A candlelight vigil will also be held by aspiring artists at Annapurna Studios, where Fish Venkat began his career sweeping floors.

There’s something deeply heartbreaking about losing someone who made you laugh.

Fish Venkat was never the headline, but always the highlight. He was the comic relief in movies and the unsung relief in many lives. He never got a lifetime achievement award, but maybe that’s because his real achievement was something bigger—becoming irreplaceable in the hearts of millions.

Rest in peace, Fish Venkat. The laughter has paused, but your legacy will echo forever.