Robo Shankar collapses on film set and dies at 46 : Tamil industry in shock

Despite intensive care, doctors confirmed he did not survive after multi-organ failure

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Manjusha Radhakrishnan, Entertainment, Lifestyle and Sport Editor
1 MIN READ
TN CM Stalin condoles death of Tamil actor Robo Shankar
TN CM Stalin condoles death of Tamil actor Robo Shankar

Popular Tamil actor and comedian Robo Shankar, who first shot to fame through television comedy shows before making his mark in films, died on Thursday at the age of 46.

Shankar, who appeared in films such as Viswasam with Ajith Kumar and Maari alongside Dhanush, is survived by his wife Priyanka and daughter Indraja. He had been admitted to a private hospital on Monday after collapsing on a film set and was undergoing treatment for jaundice and multi-organ failure. Despite intensive care, doctors confirmed that he did not survive.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin condoled his death, recalling Shankar’s ability to entertain audiences through both cinema and television. BJP state president Nainar Nagenthran also expressed grief, while actor-politician Kamal Haasan was among the first to pay tribute on social media.

Shankar began his career as a mimicry artist, winning audiences with his impressions of stars like Vijayakanth and Sivaji Ganesan. His robotic mimicry earned him the nickname ‘Robo’. He later transitioned into films, sharing screen space with A-listers including Vijay Sethupathi in Idharkuthane Aasaipattai Balakumara, while also anchoring TV shows.

His daughter Indraja followed in his footsteps, debuting in Atlee’s 2019 film Bigil starring Vijay.

Manjusha Radhakrishnan
Manjusha RadhakrishnanEntertainment, Lifestyle and Sport Editor
Manjusha Radhakrishnan has been slaying entertainment news and celebrity interviews in Dubai for 18 years—and she’s just getting started. As Entertainment Editor, she covers Bollywood movie reviews, Hollywood scoops, Pakistani dramas, and world cinema. Red carpets? She’s walked them all—Europe, North America, Macau—covering IIFA (Bollywood Oscars) and Zee Cine Awards like a pro. She’s been on CNN with Becky Anderson dropping Bollywood truth bombs like Salman Khan Black Buck hunting conviction and hosted panels with directors like Bollywood’s Kabir Khan and Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh. She has also covered film festivals around the globe. Oh, and did we mention she landed the cover of Xpedition Magazine as one of the UAE’s 50 most influential icons? She was also the resident Bollywood guru on Dubai TV’s Insider Arabia and Saudi TV, where she dishes out the latest scoop and celebrity news. Her interview roster reads like a dream guest list—Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Shah Rukh Khan, Robbie Williams, Sean Penn, Deepika Padukone, Alia Bhatt, Joaquin Phoenix, and Morgan Freeman. From breaking celeb news to making stars spill secrets, Manjusha doesn’t just cover entertainment—she owns it while looking like a star herself.
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