Tamil comedy actor Robo Shankar dies in hospital at 46
Chennai: Tamil film star Robo Shankar, who was known for his effective presentation of comedy roles, died at a private hospital in the city at 9:50 pm on Thursday.
Shankar’s body is kept at his home in Valasaravakkam in Chennai for people to pay homage to the popular actor. His funeral rites are expected to be held in the city on Friday.
The actor, who was 46 years old, is survived by his wife Priyanka and a daughter Indraja.
Condolences are pouring in from various quarters at the death of Shankar, with some people expressing shock and calling it a great loss to Tamil film industry.
Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin expressed his sorrow at the demise of the actor, tweeting on his personal ‘X’ account, “We paid our respects by placing a garland on his body kept at his residence. Starting his journey as a stage performer, achieving success on the small screen, and entertaining Tamil audiences with his realistic humour in films, brother Robo Shankar was truly remarkable.”
Vijay Sethupathi shared a photo of Robo Shankar and wrote RIP with a folded-hands emoji, while actor-director Raghava Lawrence messaged on his ‘X’ page, “Deeply saddened to hear about the demise of Robo Shankar. His contribution to entertainment will always be remembered. My heartfelt condolences to his family. May his soul rest in peace.”
Actor-producer Vishnu Vishal shared a screengrab of an iconic comedy scene featuring Robo Shankar from their film, ‘Velainnu Vandhutta Vellakaaran’ and posted, “Probably the most iconic comedy scene in my films.. Without him, it wouldn’t have been this memorable... Rest in peace, #RoboShankar. Tamil cinema will definitely miss a talent like you (sic).”
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Road crash in UP leaves 10 dead
Lakhimpur Kheri (UP) (PTI): Ten people were killed when a van collided head-on with a truck on the Sisaiya-Lakhimpur national highway on Monday, police said.
The van was going to Sisaiya from Lakhimpur when the accident took place between Unchgaon and Bharehta villages.
Circle Officer of Dhaurahra, Shamsher Bahadur Singh, said all nine passengers travelling in the van and the driver were killed.
District Magistrate of Lakhimpur Kheri Anjani Kumar Singh told reporters that the van collided with a truck coming from the opposite direction, leading to nine casualties on the spot, while one succumbed to injuries at the district hospital.
Circle Officer, Dhaurahra, Shamsher Bahadur Singh told PTI, "Efforts are on to establish the identity of other deceased persons."
The seven of the deceased have been identified as Jaideep Singh (25), Pawan (23), Sohan (21), Ram Goyal (42), Sahajram (35), Pappu (18), all residents of Bahraich district and Adnan Khan (15), a resident of Lakhimpur Kheri district, police said.
Condoling the loss of lives in the accident, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in a post on X, said, "The loss of life in the unfortunate road accident in Lakhimpur Kheri district is deeply distressing and heart-wrenching. My condolences are with the bereaved families."
"I have directed the local administration to provide prompt and adequate assistance to the injured and the victims. I pray to Lord Shri Ram to grant the departed souls a place at His divine feet and to bestow a speedy recovery upon the injured," Adityanath said on X.
Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya and Brajesh Pathak too condoled the loss of lives in the accident.
"The loss of lives resulting from the road accident in Lakhimpur Kheri district is deeply tragic and heart-wrenching. My deepest condolences go out to the bereaved families," Maurya said.
