From 26-year-old Gayathri to Kathi Mahesh in his early 40s: 10 Telugu celebs who died at a young age

The Telugu television industry has lost some promising young talents in the past five years. From actors like Gayathri and BB Telugu fame Kathi Mahesh, who died in fatal road accidents to Naga Jhansi and Sravani Kondapalli, who reportedly died by suicide, these young celebs met with a tragic end.

Actress-social media influencer Gayathri, aged 26, died in a tragic road accident in Gachibowli, Hyderabad. As per reports, Gayathri, who was returning home with her friend, Rathod, late Friday (March 18) night, after Holi celebrations met with a fatal accident. Gayathri has appeared in the Telugu web series Madam Sir Madam Anthe besides numerous short movies and online videos. Telugu actress Surekhavani and many others in the entertainment industry are mourning her sudden demise.

Film critic and Bigg Boss Telugu season 1 fame Kathi Mahesh, 44, died in a car crash near Nellore on June 26, 2021. Mahesh's car reportedly crashed into a parked container vehicle on the highway. He was shifted to a corporate hospital in Chennai where he breathed his last.

TV actress Srilakshmi Kanakala, 40, who was battling cancer for a while, passed away on April 6, 2020, in Hyderabad. She was popular for her performances in the Telugu shows Agnipoolu, Ruthugeetham, Chinnari and Super Mom.

Telugu TV actress Sravani Kondapally reportedly died by suicide on September 8, 2020. The 26-year-old actress, who came to Hyderabad to fulfill her acting dreams, got familiar to the Telugu telly audience with daily soaps Manasu Mamatha and Mounaragam. Two persons, A Devaraj Reddy and realtor Sai Krishna Reddy, were arrested in connection with TV actress Sravani Kondapalli's suicide case. Harassment by Devaraj, Sai Krishna and producer Ashok Reddy has allegedly forced the actress to end her life.

Popular comedian Venu Madhav (39) passed away on September 25, 2019, at a private hospital in Secunderabad due to kidney-related ailments.

Venu was reportedly hospitalised for the second time on September 24 owing to his critical condition. He had been on ventilator support for over 24 hours until he breathed his last on September 25. The mimicry artist-turned-actor became a household name with the popular Telugu TV show Once More Please that he co-hosted with popular anchor Udaya Bhanu. The show featuring talented mimicry artistes and folk singers was a runaway hit. He also judged a few seasons of popular stand-up comedy TV series Smile Raja Smile as well.

Telugu television actresses Anusha and Bhargavi, who were returning after completing the shoot of their upcoming serial, died in a road accident after their car hit a tree near Vikarabad in the wee hours on April 17, 2019. Vikarabad police said Anusha and Bhargavi died on the spot while the other inmates in the car suffered grievous injuries. Bhargavi, who hailed from Nirmal, was seen as the friend of the female antagonist Nandhika in the popular daily soap Mutyala Muggu. Anusha Reddy, on the other hand, is an aspiring actress from Jayashankar Bhupalpally district, Telangana.

TV actress Naga Jhansi of Pavithra Bandham fame reportedly died by suicide on February 5, 2019, at her residence in Sri Nagar colony, Hyderabad. Hailing from Vadali village, Andhra Pradesh, Jhansi shot to fame with the Telugu daily soap, Pavithra Bandham. A heartbreak, followed by differences with family members and harassment by boyfriend Surya were reportedly the reasons behind her death by suicide.

Tejaswini, an anchor in a Vijayawada-based local TV channel, allegedly died by suicide on June 17, 2018. Tejaswini reportedly locked herself in the room and was later found hanging from the fan. A troubled married life and dispute with in-laws have allegedly driven her to take the extreme step.

Popular news presenter Radhika Reddy's alleged suicide on April 1, 2018, took both the Telugu states by shock. She reportedly ended her life jumping from the 5th floor of her residential apartment in Moosapet, Hyderabad, succumbing to depression. She was a divorcee and is survived by her parents and a 14-year-old mentally challenged son.

29-year-old young TV actor Pradeep of Saptha Matrika fame reportedly died by suicide on May 3, 2017. He was found hanging to the ceiling at his apartment in Alkapuri. Differences and a heated argument with his wife have prompted the actor to end his life, as per police sources.