Robo Shankar (24 December 1978 – 18 September 2025) was an Indian stand-up comedian and actor who appeared predominantly in Tamil films and television. Making his breakthrough with Star Vijay's Kalakka Povathu Yaaru? by performing stand-up comedy, he was cast regularly in several shows on Star Vijay and has presented television shows for the channel. He was also the voice-over for Pumbaa in the official Tamil dub of The Lion King (2019) and Mufasa (2024).
Career Shankar was born in Madurai on 24 December 1978. He earned the name Robo Shankar after performing robot dances in village shows. He was a mimicry artist and initially performed on Kalakka Povathu Yaaru? and the 'Siricha Pochu' segment of Athu Ithu Ethu. 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.
Gokul again cast him in a role, Idharkuthane Aasaipattai Balakumara (2013), which gave him a break as an actor. After doing small roles in Yaaruda Mahesh and Kappal, Balaji Mohan cast Shankar in Vaayai Moodi Pesavum (2014). He portrayed a negative character in Touring Talkies (2015). 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". 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".
Personal life 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. His wife Priyanka Shankar is also an actor and playback singer. In 2023, several netizens expressed concern after he lost extra weight due to jaundice while on his weight loss journey.
Death On 18 September 2025, Shankar collapsed on the set of the film GodsJilla in Chennai and was admitted to GEM hospital, Perungudi. 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. His body was taken to his residence in Valasaravakkam, Chennai, where his funeral was held.
Filmography All films are in Tamil language unless otherwise noted. Year Film Role Source1997 Dharma Chakkaram Unknown Uncredited 1999 Padayappa Dancer Uncredited appearance in the song "En Peru Padayappa" 2003 Joot Aditya's henchman Uncredited Uyirosai Police officer 2004 Aai Army man 2005 Karkaa Kasadara Annachi's henchman 2006 Chennai Kadhal Police Inspector 2007 Deepavali Billu's friend Madurai Veeran Himself 2010 Azhukkan 2011 Rowthiram Kittu's henchman 2012 Akilan Boxer 2013 Thirumathi Thamizh Himself Cameo appearanceYaaruda Mahesh Gopal Azhagan Azhagi Alasunder Idharkuthane Aasaipattai Balakumara Sound Shankar 2014 Vaayai Moodi Pesavum Matta Ravi Chinnan Chiriya Vanna Paravai Kappal Seenu Anna 2015 Touring Talkies Chinnaiyya Anthology film; segment Selvi 5am VaguppuRombha Nallavan Da Nee Bhaskar's friend Moone Moonu Varthai Veera Dheera Parakrama Sivasubramani / Veerasamy Maari Sanikizhamai Strawberry Arnold Yatchan Maya Shankar Trisha Illana Nayanthara Auto Driver Puli Albert Maiem Shankar Muthukumar Wanted Malaysian film; cameo appearance in a song 2016 Saagasam Cameo appearance Aarathu Sinam ACP Sarguna Pandian Jithan 2 Vela Ramamoorthy Sutta Pazham Sudatha Pazham Kidnapper Velainu Vandhutta Vellaikaaran MLA Jacket Janakiraman Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best ComedianKa Ka Ka Po Raghavan Ammani Yaman Kadavul Irukaan Kumaru Mayilswamy Virumandikkum Sivanandikkum V. Vela Ramamoorthy Pazhaya Vannarapettai Veera Sivaji Suresh 2017 Si3 Subba Rao "Subbu" Pa. Pandi Actor Cameo appearance Saravanan Irukka Bayamaen Saudaswaran Guest appearance Savarikkadu Master's troupe member Velaikkaran Chinna Thambi Sakka Podu Podu Raja Sathya's henchman 2018 Mannar Vagaiyara Attack Durai Kalakalappu 2 Ganesh's foster father's brother-in-law Irumbu Thirai Kathir's uncle Bhaskar Oru Rascal Arnold Jarugandi Gajendran Maari 2 Sanikazhamai 2019 Viswasam Merit Vantha Rajavathaan Varuven Bucket Nethraa Actor Mr. Local Kuthala Sithambaram Butler Balu Kalyanam's assistant Hero Inbaraj "Ink" 2020 Kanni Maadam Playback singer for the song "Moonu Kaalu Vaaganam"Kanni Raasi Manmadhan 2021 Kalathil Santhippom Puli Kutty Story Prabhakar Chakra Kumar Devadas Brothers Lakshman Cinderella Guru Plan Panni Pannanum Manmadhan 2022 Yutha Satham Police Constable Selvam Iravin Nizhal Paramaanandha Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Comedian The Legend Thirupathi Cobra Madhi / Kathir's friend 2023 Kodai Paandi Tamilarasan Nambirajan Partner Samadhanam Are You Ok Baby? Sollaadhadhum Unmai participant2024 Singapore Saloon Shami / Ragavan Boomer Uncle Minor Kunju Jolly O Gymkhana Adaikalaraj's henchman 2025 Ambi Sundharam Desingu Raja 2 Vijay Sotta Sotta Nanaiyuthu Kulukkal Kumaresan Kiss Me Idiot Ticket Thanikachalam Posthumous release; partially reshot version Saaraa Security Raju Posthumous release 2026 Commandovin Love Story S. Ranjith Posthumous release Posthumous release
Dubbing artist Year Film Role Notes 2019The Lion King Pumbaa Tamil dubbed version 2024Mufasa: The Lion King
Television YearProgram NameRoleChannel Notes and 2007Kalakka Povathu Yaaru? Season 3Contestant Star VijayAsatha Povathu Yaaru? Sun TV 2008 Kalakka Povathu Yaaru? Season 4 Star Vijay 2009 Athu Ithu Ethu Season 1 Star Vijay 2011 Kings of Comedy Season 1 2017 Athu Ithu Ethu Season 2 2018Kings of Comedy JuniorsJudge2020Time Enna Boss KilliAmazon PrimeIdhayathai Thirudathey HimselfColors TamilKannana KanneGuest Sun TVwith Indraja Shankar2021Kanni Theevu (Ullasa Ulagam 2.0)JalshaColors Tamil2022 Sembaruthi Bhuvaneshwari's husbandZee TamilKalakka Povathu Yaaru? Champions 3JudgeStar VijayRaju Vootla PartyGuest2023Vera Maari Office BPAhaSpecial appearance 2024 Cooku with Comali season 5 Guest Star Vijay 2025Top Cooku Dupe Cooku season 2ContestantSun TVEliminated week 4Athu Ithu Ethu season 4GuestStar VijayFinal television appearance
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