Renowned Comedian, actor Jaswinder Bhalla, who captivated Punjabi audience with his satires on state politics and the urban-rural divide and made generations of people laugh with his performances on stage and screen for over three decades, died Friday morning at a private hospital in Mohali. He was 65.
Bhalla was admitted to the hospital two days ago following a brain haemorrhage, said his friend Bal Mukand Sharma.
Bhalla, a legendary comedian and character actor, rose to fame with Chhankata — an audio satirical series — in 1988. In the series, he played the character of Chacha Chatar Singh, an elderly villager who would comment on politics in Punjab, the widening urban-rural divide and other issues. The popularity of Chhankata, which struck an emotional chord with Punjabis who were at the time battling with militancy in state, led Bhalla to release 27 audio and video albums of the series, which, over the years, also transitioned into films.
Sharma essayed the role of his Bhatija in the series sharing stage and screen for over four decades. “A part of my heart is dead. He always treated me like a brother. I cannot imagine life without him,” said Sharma.
Bhalla’s humour shaped Punjabi pop culture. But his sharp satire also triggered backlash. In 2003, a Chhankata album angered religious groups. In 2009, Meethe Pauche drew protests from sarpanches. Once, after mocking the government, an official attacked him. Bhalla never flinched: “Satire is the mirror of society. If it hurts someone, it means the truth has been spoken.”
