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.23 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".4 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".567
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.8 His wife Priyanka Shankar made her acting debut with Kanni Maadam (2020).9 In 2023, several netizens expressed concern after he lost extra weight due to jaundice while on his weight loss journey.10
"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. https://web.archive.org/web/20151020015521/http://silverscreen.in/tamil/features/robo-shankar ↩
"An interview with actor Robo Shankar by Tamil Dharani". Archived from the original on 26 September 2015. Retrieved 18 September 2015. http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-actors/robo-shankar/an-interview-with-actor-robo-shankar-by-tamil-dharani.html ↩
"Vaayai Moodi Pesavum Movie Review". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 28 September 2017. Retrieved 18 September 2015. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movie-reviews/Vaayai-Moodi-Pesavum/movie-review/34261920.cms ↩
"Review : Maari". Sify. Archived from the original on 19 July 2015. Retrieved 18 September 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150719222353/http://www.sify.com/movies/maari-review--phrqqGbiegbbb.html ↩
Behindwoods Review Board (17 July 2015). "Maari (aka) Mari review". Behindwoods. Archived from the original on 15 September 2015. Retrieved 18 September 2015. http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies/maari/maari-review.html ↩
"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. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/i-dont-need-dialogues-to-make-people-laugh-robo-shankar/articleshow/48437724.cms?from=mdr ↩
ராஜன், அய்யனார் (29 September 2021). "கால்வலி மட்டுமே எலிமினேஷனுக்கு காரணமில்லை!". Ananda Vikatan (in Tamil). https://cinema.vikatan.com/kollywood/indraja-shankar-interview ↩
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. https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/movie-reviews/220220/kanni-maadam-review-a-caste-drama-cast-well-by-first-time-director.html ↩
"Robo Shankar's drastic weight loss sparks talk about his health". DT Next. 19 March 2023. https://www.dtnext.in/cinema/2023/03/19/robo-shankars-drastic-weight-loss-sparks-talk-about-his-health ↩
"First look poster from Yogi Babu's 'Boomer Uncle'". The Times of India. 19 August 2022. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/first-look-poster-from-yogi-babus-boomer-uncle/articleshow/93655307.cms ↩
"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. https://web.archive.org/web/20241120082701/https://www.thestatesman.com/entertainment/mufasa-the-lion-king-roars-with-indias-top-stars-in-hindi-tamil-telugu-versions-1503366827.html ↩
"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. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/music/robo-shankar-turns-singer-for-bose-venkats-film/articleshow/74021917.cms ↩
"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. https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/web-series/time-enna-boss-trailer-a-fun-tamil-sitcom-about-time-travel-6596868/ ↩