Beloved entertainer Robo Shankar sadly passed away at the age of 46, just one day after collapsing on the set of his latest project and being rushed to the hospital. The Tamil star was admitted to an ICU in Chennai on Wednesday, 18th September, after fainting, and his condition quickly worsened, with doctors diagnosing him with liver and kidney failure upon admission.
Robo gained recognition for voicing the character Pumbaa in Disney’s The Lion King in 2019 and reprised the role in 2024 for Mufasa: The Lion King. Despite recently recovering from jaundice and experiencing weight loss, which raised concerns among his fans, he continued to work and even participated in Sun TV’s cooking reality show, Top Cooku Dupe Cooku, where he was later eliminated.
Known for his comedic talents, Robo earned the nickname “Robo” due to his robot acts performed in villages and on television. His film career began in 1997, and after initial uncredited roles, he rose to fame following his performance in Vijay Sethupathi’s Idharkuthane Aasaipattai Balakumar.
In a touching tribute, fellow Tamil actor Kamal Haasan expressed his deep emotions for Robo Shankar, referring to him as a brother and highlighting the impact of his sudden departure. Fans and supporters also poured out condolences and shared memories of Robo’s entertainment legacy, emphasizing his multifaceted talents and the untimely loss at the age of 46.
Robo Shankar first gained prominence through his stand-up comedy on STAR Vijay’s Kalakka Povathu Yaaru and went on to feature in numerous TV programs. By the time of his passing, he had appeared in over 50 films and served as a judge on Kings of Comedy Juniors in 2018.
He is survived by his wife, Priyanka Robo Shankar, and daughter, Indraja Shankar, both active in the entertainment industry. While his daughter Indraja made her acting debut in Bigil and also participated in Zee Tamil’s Survivor, his wife Priyanka Shankar began her acting career with Kanni Maadam in 2020.
Robo Shankar’s final rites will be held in Chennai on Friday, September 19, following the transportation of his remains to his residence in Valasaravakkam on Thursday, September 18.