Robo Shankar

Shankar was born in Madurai on 24 December 1978.^[1] He earned the name Robo Shankar after performing robot dances in village shows.^[2] He was a mimicry artist and initially performed on Kalakka Povathu Yaaru? and the 'Siricha Pochu' segment of Athu Ithu Ethu.^[3] He was offered by Gokul a role in Rowthiram (2011); however, many of his scenes were edited out from the film barring a song appearance.^[4]

Gokul again cast him in a role, Idharkuthane Aasaipattai Balakumara (2013), which gave him a break as an actor.^[4] After doing small roles in Yaaruda Mahesh and Kappal, Balaji Mohan cast Shankar in Vaayai Moodi Pesavum (2014).^[5] He portrayed a negative character in Touring Talkies (2015).^[6] He then acted in Maari (2015), where his performance was mentioned by critics that he "deserves a special mention" and "steals the show with his unique one-liners and body language".^[7][8] His performance as an MLA who undergoes a coma in Velainu Vandhutta Vellaikaaran (2016) was well received with critics describing his performance as "a scream" and "the most show-stopping, laugh-till-you-cry — and yes, BP-reducing — comedy stretch of the year".^[9][10]

Shankar's daughter Indraja Shankar made her acting debut in Bigil, as one of the women football players and also a castaway in Zee Tamil's Survivor show.^[11] His wife Priyanka Shankar is also an actor and playback singer.^[12][13] In 2023, several netizens expressed concern after he lost extra weight due to jaundice while on his weight loss journey.^[14]

On 18 September 2025, Shankar collapsed on the set of the film GodsJilla in Chennai and was admitted to GEM hospital, Perungudi.^[15][2] He was placed in intensive care after fluctuations in blood pressure and died later that day, at the age of 46. He died due to massive gastrointestinal bleed and multi-organ dysfunction.^[16][17][18] His body was taken to his residence in Valasaravakkam, Chennai, where his funeral was held.^[16]

• All films are in Tamil language unless otherwise noted.