Jaswinder Bhalla, Punjabi actor and comedian, dies

The Punjabi entertainment industry is bidding farewell to one of its most beloved comedians and actors, Jaswinder Bhalla. He passed away at the age of 70 in the early hours of Friday at Fortis Hospital in Mohali.

Bhalla had been unwell for some time and was receiving treatment prior to his death. His final rites are scheduled for Saturday at 12 noon at the Balongi Cremation Ground in Mohali.

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Jaswinder Bhalla’s contribution to Punjabi cinema and stage was immense. Over a career spanning more than three decades.

In 1988, he officially entered professional comedy with the release of the audio cassette ‘Chhankata 88’, created with his friend and fellow performer Bal Mukund Sharma. The name ‘Chhankata’ originated from the college-level annual shows that Bhalla and Sharma performed at the university.

Their performances were noticed by Doordarshan Kendra, Jalandhar, during the Professor Mohan Singh Mela, thanks to the support of renowned Punjabi author Jagdev Singh Jassowal. And this is how he began his journey to comedy.

Over the years, Bhalla released more than 27 audio and video albums in the ‘Chhankata’ series. They featured a mix of social satire, witty commentary, and unforgettable characters.

In the ‘Chhankata’ series, he portrayed a variety of personalities drawn from different walks of Punjabi life. Among his most beloved characters was Chacha Chatar Singh, an elderly villager whose humorous observations touched upon Punjab’s politics, rural-urban differences, and everyday life.

Another popular figure was Bhana, a young NRI from Chatar Singh’s village, whose humorous encounters highlighted the cultural contrast between India and abroad.

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He also enjoyed a successful career in Punjabi cinema, acting in films like ‘Mahaul Theek Hai’, ‘Jija Ji’, ‘Jihne Mera Dil Luteya’, ‘Power Cut’, ‘Kabaddi Once Again’, ‘Apan Phir Milange’, ‘Mel Kara De Rabba’, ‘Carry On Jatta’, ‘Jatt and Juliet’, and ‘Jatt Airways’.

Some of his ‘Chhankata’ albums sparked controversy due to his satirical takes on religious and social institutions. In 2003, he faced objections from certain ragi jathas over perceived mockery in his work.

Similarly, his 2009 album ‘Mithe Pochey’ attracted criticism from village leaders, while some of his political satire reportedly drew the ire of government officials.

Jaswinder was married to Parmdeep Bhalla. She is a Fine Arts teacher. They had two children: son Pukhraj Bhalla and daughter Ashpreet Kaur. Pukhraj followed in his father’s footsteps, appearing in ‘Chhankata’ albums since 2002 and taking on roles in Punjabi films. Ashpreet is settled in Norway.