Early Life & Background
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Full Name & Birth: Robo Shankar was born on 24 December 1978 in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India. (BookMyShow)
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Education: He holds a Master’s in Economics from Madurai Kamaraj University. (Wikipedia)
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Early Talents: He began as a mimicry artist, performing in village shows and folk-stage events. His act included robot-style dance moves, which earned him the nickname “Robo” Shankar. (FilmiBeat)
Entry into Television & Breakthrough
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His big break came via television, particularly through the comedy reality show Kalakka Povathu Yaaru? (on Vijay TV), which gave him visibility as a comedian and mimicry artist. (BookMyShow)
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Over time, he became a regular on several TV comedy and variety-shows, and also took on roles as presenter/host in some of them. His stage presence, comic timing, mimicry skills and unique body language were the hallmarks of his appeal. (BookMyShow)
Film Career
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Initial On-Screen Roles: Though he had some uncredited or small roles early on (for example in Padaiyappa as an uncredited part), his first credited film role was in Idharkuthane Aasaipattai Balakumara (2013). (BookMyShow)
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Notable Films & Performances:
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Vaayai Moodi Pesavum (2014) — critics took notice of his comic timing. (Wikipedia)
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Maari (2015) — his role had memorable one-liners and his physical comedy, which many felt “stole the show” in parts. (Wikipedia)
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Other important films include Viswasam, Velaikkaran, Kappal, Trisha Illana Nayanthara, Pa Paandi, Si3, among many more. His career includes a large number of supporting/comedic roles, often alongside major Tamil stars. (BookMyShow)
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Versatility: While mainly known for comedy, he also occasionally took on other character roles, sometimes dark or negative, as in Touring Talkies (2015). (Wikipedia)
Personal Life
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Family:
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Spouse: Priyanka Shankar, who has also acted (for example in Kanni Maadam in 2020). (BookMyShow)
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Daughter: Indraja Shankar. She debuted as one of the women football players in Bigil, and has appeared in other television programs, e.g. Survivor Tamil. (Wikipedia)
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Health & Personal Battles:
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He has had serious health issues in recent years. In 2023, fans noted a major weight loss due to jaundice, which affected his physical appearance and raised concern. (Wikipedia)
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In a candid interview (2025), he revealed he had been battling alcoholism, which severely impacted his health. He credited actor Dhanush for life-saving support during his condition. (The Times of India)
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Recent News & Controversies
As of September 2025, several major developments have occurred:
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Health Crisis & Death Reports
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On 17-18 September 2025, Robo Shankar collapsed on a film/television set in Chennai and was rushed to a private hospital. Reports say there was a variation in his blood pressure, dehydration/low pressure being possible causes, and he was moved to the Intensive Care Unit. (Cinema Express)
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Death Announced: Multiple news outlets are reporting that he passed away on 18 September 2025 at the age of 46. (Wikipedia)
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The news has stirred widespread shock and grief in the Tamil film industry and among fans. (India Today)
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Controversies
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Alcoholism & Public Disclosure: As noted above, the admission of a battle with alcohol addiction was itself a delicate matter, with opinions mixed among fans and the public. Some praised his honesty; others expressed concern over privacy. (The Times of India)
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Family / Wedding Controversy:
His daughter Indraja’s marriage to her cousin-friend Karthick (March 2024) had some controversies: age gap rumours, criticism over wedding expenses, and photographs that were shared online that some interpreted as inappropriate (a photograph allegedly showing his wife “kissing” Karthick on the lips). The family responded, clarifying that it was a misunderstanding: it was intended as a cheek kiss but photographic angle misled viewers. (FilmiBeat) -
Offensive Remarks Incident: He had made remarks about actress Hansika Motwani in 2023 (related to a film scene), which drew backlash. Details included that his comment was considered distasteful/offensive by some, leading to negative media attention. (Onmanorama)
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Legacy & Impact
Robo Shankar’s journey from mimicry and rural stage shows to being a well-known comedian/actor in both television and film is a story of persistence, unique talent, and versatility. His style—marked by mimicry, robot-style movement, expressive body language, one-liners, and the ability to bring humour into small roles—made him widely beloved. He was able to cross over from television to cinema successfully.
As of his passing (if confirmed accurately), future retrospectives will likely focus on:
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His influence in popularizing stand-up and mimicry in Tamil pop culture.
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How he balanced health struggles with work, and how disclosure of personal battle (with addiction) affected public conversation.
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The breadth of his work, supporting roles with comic impact, rather than always as leading man, yet being memorable in many films.
Top Interesting Facts about Robo Shankar
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Nickname Origin: He got the name “Robo” because of his robot-style dance movements in stage shows, long before he became a film actor. (Wikipedia)
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Late Film Breakthrough: Even though he worked in minor/uncredited roles for years, his first substantial film recognition came only in his mid-thirties (around 2013). (BookMyShow)
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Multifaceted Talents: Apart from comedy and acting, he has done mimicry, dance, and occasionally negative or serious roles.
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Family in Cinema: His daughter, Indraja Shankar, is active in films and television, and his wife Priyanka has acted too. So, acting is a family pursuit now. (Wikipedia)
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Open about Personal Struggles: His public discussion of alcoholism and how it affected his career and health is relatively rare among comedian actors, and his acknowledgment is seen by many as courageous. (The Times of India)
FAQs About Robo Shankar
Question | Answer |
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When was Robo Shankar born? | 24 December 1978. (BookMyShow) |
Where is he from? | Madurai, Tamil Nadu. (BookMyShow) |
How did he get into films? | After a strong presence on television (especially Kalakka Povathu Yaaru?), he transitioned into film via Idharkuthane Aasaipattai Balakumara (2013). (Wikipedia) |
What are some of his popular films? | Maari, Vaayai Moodi Pesavum, Viswasam, Velaikkaran, Si3, Pa Paandi etc. (BookMyShow) |
Did he face health issues? | Yes. He suffered from jaundice (leading to weight loss), had other complications, and explicitly battled alcoholism. (BookMyShow) |
Is Robo Shankar deceased? | As of the latest reports (September 2025), multiple sources are reporting that he died on 18 September 2025 after collapsing on set. However, as with all breaking news, official confirmation (e.g. from family or hospital) is sometimes delayed. (BookMyShow) |
What controversies was he involved in? | Controversies include the remarks about Hansika Motwani, family/wedding photo misunderstandings, rumours about personal life/age gaps, and his public battle with alcoholism. (Onmanorama) |
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