Salaam Venky on OTT: All you need to know about the stirring tale of Kolavennu Venkatesh, who inspired Revathy’s film

It took Kolavennu Venkatesh’s stirring and inspiring tale to get Revathy back into the director’s chair after more than a decade. Venkatesh, or Venky he was called, did not have an easy life, having been afflicted with Duchenne muscular dystrophy(DMD). But that did not stop him from living his life to the fullest, with his mother K Sujatha by his side. Nor did it stop the young man from fighting for his biggest desire, no matter the roadblocks in front of him.

At the age of six, Venkatesh was bound to a wheelchair as a result of his disease. Despite his debilitating condition, young Venkatesh refused to be a victim of circumstances, and grew up to become an avid chess player and film buff. His mother Sujatha was a constant source of support, always being by her son’s side and supporting him every step of the way.

One of Venkatesh’s biggest desires in life was to donate his organs after death. Patients with DMD generally have an average lifespan of about 24-25 years, and as he reached 24, Venkatesh decided to put in a plea before the Andhra Pradesh High Court for voluntary euthanasia, before his disease could destroy his organs. However, the court rejected the young man’s plea, and he passed away in 2004, at the age of 25, two days after the court’s rejection.

After fighting the disease for 18 years, and a legal battle towards the end of his life to do good even after his death, Venkatesh was able to donate his eyes. His mother Sujatha vowed to keep the fight going in Venkatesh’s name.

In the Revathy directorial, Kajol stars as Sujatha, while Vishal Jethwa essays the role of Venkatesh. Rahul Bose, Rajeev Khandelwal, Aahana Kumra, Prakash Raj, Priya Mani, Riddhi Kumar, Aneet Padda, Jai Neeraj, Maala Parvathi and Kamal Sadanah also star in the film.

Salaam Venky will be available for streaming on ZEE5, from February 10 onwards.