Carry on Jatta, laughter won’t be same again

Veteran Punjabi actor and academic Jaswinder Bhalla passed away today at the age of 65, leaving behind a four-decade-long legacy of a comedian and satirist whose effortless humour and sharp social commentary lit up lives.

Known for long by his character name “Chacha Chatar Singh”, Bhalla got international fame as Punjabi cinema developed in the last decade. His dialogue, “Gandi aulad, na maza, na swad”, is as famous as are the iconic dialogues of Sholay.

He breathed his last at a private hospital in Mohali around 4 am after suffering a brain stroke two days ago. His funeral is scheduled for tomorrow at noon at the Balongi cremation ground in Mohali.

His rise to fame was nothing short of remarkable. He rose like a phoenix during the terrorism days in Punjab, that too on the campus of the Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, which was a hotbed of terrorism. He took on everyone, including high and mighty politicians through his satire and suffered backlash a number of times, but never yielded to pressure. He would bounce back with a new comedy cassette and later shows.

Born in Doraha, a small town in Punjab, Bhalla studied at the local high school before moving on to higher education. He earned his BSc (Honours) in Agriculture and MSc in Extension Education from Punjab Agricultural University and later completed his PhD from CCS University, Meerut.

He retired as Director, Extension Education, in 2020. During his tenure, he was appointed as the first brand ambassador of PAU — a distinction no one else has held since.

With nearly 50 films, several superhits and the legendary Chhankata audio series created with his childhood friend Bal Mukand Sharma, Bhalla carved out a niche as one of Punjab’s most iconic entertainers.

“He was one of the most educated actors in the Punjabi film industry,” recalled former PAU Vice Chancellor KS Aulakh.

Eminent Punjabi writer Gurbhajan Singh Gill, who mentored Bhalla and Sharma, said the duo began experimenting with theatre, comedy and political satire at PAU during the turbulent 1980s, when militancy had engulfed Punjab.

The university was a hotbed of unrest, especially after the killing of Olympian drag-flicker Prithipal Singh Randhawa on the campus in May 1983. “It was not certain that the student you were teaching in class might be killed in an encounter the next day. At the centre of militancy, bringing smiles was unthinkable — let alone comedy. From burning ruins, PAU found in Bhalla a phoenix of hope for a better tomorrow,” Gill recalled.

“Bhalla managed his satire with effortless ease. He never needed to contort his face or overact. His humour came from a deep understanding of Punjab’s socio-political landscape. At a time when Punjab was burning and people had almost forgotten to laugh, artists like Bhalla restored their smiles,” said Gill, who credited PAU faculty Kashoram Sharma, then in-charge of the dance, drama and music club, with identifying the duo’s talent.

Their big break came in 1983, when Om Gori Datt Sharma, then in-charge of the Mera Pind Mere Khet programme at Jalandhar Doordarshan, invited them to perform every month.

While their stage and cassette success grew, Bhalla’s career in cinema took off after noted satirist Jaspal Bhatti cast him in Mahaul Theek Hai (1999). Although he had earlier appeared in the film Dulla Bhatti, it was Mahaul Theek Hai that gave him a breakthrough. Hits followed in quick succession — Jatt and Juliet, Carry on Jatta, Saab Bahadar, the Sardaarji series, and many more.

“A part of my heart is dead. I cannot imagine life without him,” Sharma said, recalling their decades-long bond. Both lived in close proximity in Mohali and remained inseparable, even if not always on stage.

Their satire often unsettled the powerful. In 2003, during Capt Amarinder Singh’s first tenure as Chief Minister, a sharp political banter performed in Patiala led to a backlash.

After retiring in 2020 as the Head of the Department of Extension Education, he shifted to Mohali, where he continued to engage with arts and public life.

Bhalla’s artistic journey began in 1988 with the satirical audio series Chhankata, where his portrayal of Chacha Chatar Singh became a household name. His collaborations with Bal Mukand Sharma elevated Punjabi satire, blending humour with sharp social commentary.

Reflecting on their decades-long partnership, Sharma, Chairman of the Punjab State Food Commission, said, “His death has created a void that can never be filled. I’ve lost my dear friend and the soul of our satire.”

Remembering his contribution, PAU Vice Chancellor Dr SS Gosal said, “He was a world-renowned actor and pioneer in education and co-curricular activities. PAU is proud to have nurtured such a multifaceted personality.”

Bhalla is survived by his wife Parmdeep Bhalla, a fine arts teacher, and two children — son Pukhraj Bhalla, an actor in Punjabi cinema, and daughter Ashpreet Kaur, settled in Norway.