Indian actor-comedian Robo Shankar dies at 46 after collapsing on film set

Indian actor and comedian Robo Shankar died in Chennai, India, on Sept 18, days after he was hospitalised in a critical condition.

He was 46 and had been battling liver and kidney ailments, as well as jaundice.

Known for his roles in numerous Tamil films such as action comedy Maari (2015) and television shows like the first season of comedy show Athu Ithu Ethu (That This Which, 2009), he gained his stage name through his dance moves that mimic a robot.

According to Indian media reports, Shankar collapsed on set while filming the movie GodsJilla.

Indian English-language daily newspaper The Hindu reported a GEM Hospital spokesman as saying that the actor was admitted to the Chennai hospital on Sept 16 in a critical condition “with a massive gastrointestinal bleed and multi-organ dysfunction secondary to a complex abdominal condition”.

The spokesman added: “He was managed in the critical care unit with intensive medical management. Despite the best efforts of our multidisciplinary team, his condition deteriorated rapidly.”

The entertainer’s death has prompted tributes from Indian actors and politicians.

On social media platform X, actor Kamal Haasan, 70, whom Shankar looked up to, paid tribute by describing him as his “younger brother”, while actress Radikaa Sarathkumar, 63, recalled how Shankar “always keeps everyone happy with his humour and works very hard to keep giving his best”.

In a statement expressing his condolences, Tamil Nadu chief minister M.K. Stalin described him as “a talented artiste who entertained the people of Tamil Nadu through his performances on stage, television and film”.

In a 2015 interview with Indian newspaper Times Of India, Shankar described himself as “a very chilled out person”.

He added: “As a comedian, I don’t need long dialogues to make the audience laugh. My body language is enough to crack them up.”

He leaves behind wife Priyanka Shankar and daughter Indraj, who are both actresses.