19 September,2025 05:43 PM IST | Chennai | mid-day online correspondent
Robo Shankar. Pic/X
Well-known Tamil film actor and comedian Robo Shankar has passed away, leaving the Tamil film industry plunged in grief. Robo was reportedly undergoing treatment at a private hospital after collapsing on the sets on Wednesday and passed away on Thursday. He was 46 years old when he breathed his last.
Robo Shankar, who is best known for his performances in Dhanush-starrer Maari, Vishal's Irumbu Thirai and Vishnu Vishal's Vellainu Vandhutta Vellaikaran, suddenly fainted on sets during a shoot on Wednesday, according to reports. The unit members immediately rushed the actor to a private hospital, where he was being provided treatment in the Intensive Care Unit. However, the actor couldn't survive and is believed to have passed away at around 8.30 pm on Thursday evening.
Sources reveal that the body of the actor will be taken from the hospital to his residence, where it will be kept for people to pay their last respects on Friday. Robo Shankar is survived by his wife Priyanka and his daughter Indraja, who acted alongside actor Vijay in his blockbuster film Bigil.
Several actors and directors from the Tamil film industry have expressed shock and grief on learning about the demise of the actor and comedian. Actor Kamal Haasan, who was among the first to react to the news of the demise of Robo Shankar paid tribute to the late actor through a Tamil poem. The poem, when loosely translated, is a conversation that Kamal Haasan seems to be having with Robo Shankar. Pointing out that 'Robo' is just a pseudonym, Kamal Haasan says that in his dictionary, he considers Robo Shankar to be his younger brother. "Just because you have gone doesn't mean you have left me," Kamal Haasan said and added that while Robo Shankar had left because his job was done, he remained as his job remained unfinished. He finished the poem saying, "As you have left tomorrow for me, tomorrow is ours."
Director Venkat Prabhu too expressed his condolences. Taking to his X timeline, Venkat Prabhu wrote, "RIProboshankar gone too soon my friend. Deepest condolences to family and friends."
Actress Varalakshmi has also expressed shock and grief at the tragic demise Robo Shankar. Taking to her X timeline, Varalakshmi posted a picture of her phone call records that showed she had spoken to the late actor just four days ago. She wrote, "I spoke to him on Sunday and now he's now more.. just too sudden.. I just can't believe it.. Prayers to the family... He made so many people laugh... May he rest in peace."
Actress Simran too expressed shock and grief at the actor's demise. She wrote, "Deeply saddened by the passing of Robo Shankar. A talent that brought smiles to millions. You will be missed. Prayers and strength to his family during this difficult time. Om Shanthi"
Actor Silambarasan aka Simbu too expressed grief on hearing the news. He wrote in Tamil that he was deeply saddened to hear the news of the passing away of actor Robo Shankar. "It is extremely painful to lose a person who always shared laughter," Simbu wrote in his tribut and said that Robo Shankar's loss was a great loss to the film industry and to his fans. "His smiles that continue to live in us will forever remain etched as memories. I pray to God that his soul rests in peace. My deepest condolences and sympathies to his family," the actor said.
(With inputs from IANS)
