Actor Robo Shankar passes away at 46: Tamil Cinema mourns beloved comedian

Chennai: Popular Tamil actor and comedian Robo Shankar passed away on Thursday evening at the age of 46. He reportedly collapsed on a film set days earlier and was admitted to a private hospital, where he was diagnosed with renal failure. His condition worsened on Wednesday, and he died around 8.30 pm after being moved to the ICU.

Born in Madurai, Shankar earned the nickname “Robo” for his robot-style dance moves. He began with small roles in the early 2000s and rose to fame through the comedy show ‘Kalakka Povathu Yaaru’ on Star Vijay, known for his sharp timing and expressive body language.

His breakthrough came with films like ‘Idharkuthane Aasaipattai Balakumara’ and ‘Vaayai Moodi Pesavum’. Over the years, he became a regular face in Tamil cinema, appearing in hits such as ‘Velainu Vandhutta Vellaikaaran’, ‘Kadavul Irukaan Kumaru’, ‘Singam 3’, ‘Viswasam’ and ‘Cobra’. His role in ‘Maari’ alongside Dhanush remains a fan favourite.

Shankar’s career was briefly interrupted due to jaundice, and fans were concerned about his health after noticeable weight loss. He returned to screens with films like ‘Are You Ok Baby?’, ‘Singapore Saloon’ and ‘Jolly O Gymkhana’. His final appearance was in ‘Sotta Sotta Nanaiyuthu’, released earlier this year.

In 2023, he made headlines for housing two protected Alexandrine parakeets, a violation under the Wildlife Protection Act.

Robo Shankar is survived by his wife, actor Priyanka Shankar, and daughter Indraja Shankar, who is also an actor and influencer. His sudden death has left the Tamil film industry and fans in mourning.

Tributes have poured in across social media. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin condoled the demise of Robo Shankar. Actors like Kamal Haasan, Simran, Karthi and and Vishnu Vishal shared heartfelt messages on X, honouring Shankar’s contribution to cinema and the joy he brought to audiences.