Robo Shankar is an Indian standup comedian who has appeared in character roles in Tamil films. He made his breakthrough with STAR Vijay's Kalakkapovathu Yaaru, performing standup comedy. He is a now cast as regular on several shows on Star Vijay and has presented television shows for the channel.

Robo Shankar
Born
Shankar
Alma materMadurai Kamaraj University (MA Economics)
Occupation(s)Actor, stand up comedian, dancer
Years active1997-2007; 2010–present
Known forCollaborations with Vijay TV
SpousePriyanka Shankar
ChildrenIndraja
AwardsKalaimamani

Career

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Shankar earned the name Robo Shankar after doing robot dances in village shows. He was a mimicry artist when he was offered by Gokul a role in Rowthiram (2011); however, his scenes were edited out from the film.[1] Gokul again cast him a role in Idharkuthane Aasaipattai Balakumara (2013), which gave him a break as an actor.[1][2] After doing small roles in Yaaruda Mahesh and Kappal, Balaji Mohan cast Shankar in Vaayai Moodi Pesavum (2014). His performance was described by critics as "scream".[3] 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".[4][5][6]

Personal life

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Shankar's daughter Indraja made her acting debut in Bigil, as one of the women football players and also a castaway in Zee Tamil's Survivor show.[7] His wife Priyanka Shankar made her acting debut with Kanni Maadam (2020).[8] In 2023, several netizens expressed concern after he lost extra weight due to jaundice while on his weight loss journey.[9]

Filmography

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Key
Denotes films that have not yet been released

Actor

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  • All films are in Tamil language unless otherwise noted.
Year Film Role Source
1997 Dharma Chakkaram Uncredited
1999 Padayappa Uncredited
2003 Joot Aditya's henchman Uncredited
Uyirosai Uncredited
2004 Aai Army man
2005 Karka Kasadara Henchman
2006 Chennai Kadhal Police Inspector
2007 Deepavali Billu's friend
Madurai Veeran Himself
2010 Azhukkan
2011 Rowthiram Gowri's henchman
2013 Thirumathi Thamizh Uncredited
Yaaruda Mahesh Gopal
Azhagan Azhagi Ration officer Alasunder
Idharkuthane Aasaipattai Balakumara Sound Shankar
2014 Vaayai Moodi Pesavum Matta Ravi
Chinnan Chiriya Vanna Paravai
Kappal Seenu Anna
2015 Touring Talkies Chinnaiyya
Rombha Nallavan Da Nee
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 song
2016 Saagasam
Aarathu Sinam ACP Sarguna Pandian
Jithan 2 Vela Ramamoorthy
Sutta Pazham Sudatha Pazham
Velainu Vandhutta Vellaikaaran MLA Jacket Janakiraman
Ka Ka Ka Po
Ammani Yaman
Kadavul Irukaan Kumaru Mayilswamy
Virumandikum Sivanandikum V. Vela Ramamoorthy
Pazhaya Vannarapettai
Veera Sivaji Suresh
2017 Si3 Subba Rao "Subbu"
Pa Paandi Actor Cameo appearance
Saravanan Irukka Bayamaen Saudaswaran Guest appearance
Savarikkadu
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
Hero Inbaraj "Ink"
2020 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
The Legend Thirupathi
Cobra Madhi / Kathir's friend
2023 Kodai Paandi
Tamilarasan
Partner
Are You Ok Baby? Sollaadhadhum Unmai participant
2024 Singapore Saloon Shami/Ragavan
Boomer Uncle Minor Kunju [10]
Jolly O Gymkhana

Dubbing artist

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Year Film Role Notes
2019 The Lion King Pumbaa Tamil version
2024 Mufasa: The Lion King Pumbaa Tamil version[11]

Singer

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Year Film Song Source
2020 Kanni Maadam "Moonu Kaalu Vaaganam" [12]

Web series

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Year Program Name Role Network Notes
2020 Time Enna Boss Killi Amazon Prime Tamil[13]
2023 Vera Maari Office BP Aha

Television

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Year Program Name Role Channel
2012 Kalakka Povathu Yaaru Vijay TV
2018 Kings of Comedy Juniors Judge Vijay TV
2020 Idhayathai Thirudathey Himself Colors Tamil
Kannana Kanne Guest role with Indraja Shankar Sun TV
2021 Kanni Theevu (Ullasa Ulagam 2.0) Jalsha Colors Tamil
2022 Sembaruthi (TV Series) Bhuvaneshwari Husband Zee Tamil
2022 Kalakka Povathu Yaaru? Champions 3 Judge Vijay TV
2022 Raju Vootla Party Guest Vijay TV

References

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  1. ^ a b "My Stomach Kept Growing With My Career: Robo Shankar Interview". Silverscreen.in. 21 July 2015. Archived from the original on 20 October 2015. Retrieved 18 September 2015.
  2. ^ "An interview with actor Robo Shankar by Tamil Dharani". Archived from the original on 26 September 2015. Retrieved 18 September 2015.
  3. ^ "Vaayai Moodi Pesavum Movie Review". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 28 September 2017. Retrieved 18 September 2015.
  4. ^ "Review : Maari". Sify. Archived from the original on 19 July 2015. Retrieved 18 September 2015.
  5. ^ Behindwoods Review Board (17 July 2015). "Maari (aka) Mari review". Behindwoods. Archived from the original on 15 September 2015. Retrieved 18 September 2015.
  6. ^ "I don't need dialogues to make people laugh: Robo Shankar". The Times of India. 12 August 2015. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 15 December 2023.
  7. ^ ராஜன், அய்யனார் (29 September 2021). "கால்வலி மட்டுமே எலிமினேஷனுக்கு காரணமில்லை!". Ananda Vikatan (in Tamil).
  8. ^ Subramanian, Anupama (22 February 2020). "Kanni Maadam review: A caste drama cast well by first-time director". Deccan Chronicle. Archived from the original on 8 April 2020. Retrieved 31 March 2020.
  9. ^ "Robo Shankar's drastic weight loss sparks talk about his health". DT Next. 19 March 2023.
  10. ^ "First look poster from Yogi Babu's 'Boomer Uncle'". The Times of India. 19 August 2022.
  11. ^ "Mufasa The Lion King roars with India's top stars in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu versions". Statesman. 20 November 2024. Archived from the original on 20 November 2024. Retrieved 20 November 2024.
  12. ^ "Robo Shankar turns singer for Bose Venkat's film". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 7 April 2020. Retrieved 19 February 2020.
  13. ^ "Time Enna Boss trailer: A fun Tamil series about time travel". The Indian Express. 15 September 2020. Archived from the original on 19 September 2020. Retrieved 18 September 2020.
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