Jaswinder Bhalla — the of Punjabi comedy, and the voice of political satire — falls silent

“A part of my heart is dead,” said Sharma, who shared the stage and screen with Bhalla for over four decades. “He always treated me like a brother. I cannot imagine life without him.”

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.

Bhalla and Sharma met as BSc students at Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana, in 1977. From campus gigs to the stage and audio cassettes, their journey defined Punjabi comedy. Together, they created sharp satire rooted in rural life and social realities and their characters became cultural touchstones.

“From Chhankata to tours in Canada and Australia, we lived our lives making people laugh,” Sharma said. “He was more than a friend, he was family”.

Born on May 4, 1960, in Doraha village of Ludhiana, Bhalla completed his BSc (Hons) and MSc from PAU, before earning a PhD in Agricultural Extension from Chaudhary Charan Singh Post Graduate College, Meerut.

He joined PAU in 1989 as an assistant professor and went on become Professor and Head of the Department of Extension Education in 2015. He retired in May 2020. Teaching was his profession, but comedy remained his first love.

His debut came in 1975 on All India Radio, but fame arrived in 1988 with Chhankata, which made Bhalla and Sharma overnight stars. Bhalla made his film debut with Dulla Bhatti in 1998 and cemented his place with “Mahaul Theek Hai” (1999), a satire on the Punjab Police department, which was directed by renowned actor-comedian Jaspal Bhatti. He went on to become a staple of Punjabi blockbusters such as “Carry on Jatta”, “Daddy Cool Munde Fool”, “Mr & Mrs 420”, “Jatt & Julliet”, “Sardaar Ji”, “Yaar Anmulle”, and “Vekh Barataan Challiyan”, which earned him a Filmfare Punjabi nomination.

Playing the character of Advocate Dhillon in “Carry On Jatta”, Bhalla impressed the audiences with his one liners such as “Kala kot avein nahi paya” and “Gandi aulad na majaa na sawad”.

“Carry On Jatta-4 was his idea. Sadly, it now remains incomplete,” said actor Gippy Grewal.

Actor Gurpreet Ghuggi called him a mentor: “Such artistes are not made in a day. It takes 40 years of hard work.”

Actor Jassi Gill recalled how Bhalla supported newcomers. “He even gave us his own dialogues”. Karamjit Anmol added, “He became a child with children and an elder with elders. His nature never changed.”

Actor-director Darshan Aulakh, a friend for over 35 years, said: “His untimely demise is an irreparable loss. Whenever we met, he spoke about Punjab. His pain for Punjab was reflected in his art.”

Playwright-director Sanjeevan Singh called it “a huge loss for the world of art,” adding, “he still had years to spread laughter, but his untimely death has left a deep void.”

Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, himself a former comedian, said: “Chacha Chatar will always live in our hearts. The silence of Chhankata is heartbreaking.”

Producer Jarnail Ghumman, a close associate, remembered: “Since 1988, the Chhankata series gave a new direction to Punjabi entertainment. He was not just a comedian but a mirror of society. His satire blended rural idioms and social messages so seamlessly that people couldn’t stop listening. Even while working with stars like Bhagwant Mann, he always shone with unique humor.”

Singer-actor Gippy Grewal said, “He was the soul of Punjabi comedy.”

Bhalla’s humor 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.”

Mohali Mayor Amarjeet Singh Jiti Sidhu recalled Bhalla’s civic engagement: “He campaigned for me tirelessly. People saw a comedian, but I knew a deeply serious man who cared for Punjab. He often called me with suggestions for welfare.”

Punjab Congress issued a statement mourning him as a “legendary artist who gave Punjabi cinema its humor and heart.”

Bhalla is survived by his wife Parmdeep Kaur, son and actor Pukhraj Bhalla, daughter-in-law Dishu Bhalla, daughter Arshpreet Bhalla, and mother Satwant Kaur. His cremation will be held on August 23 at 1 pm at Balongi cremation ground, Mohali.