Chandigarh, Aug 22
Famous Punjabi actor and comedian Jaswinder Bhalla, who ruled hearts for decades as the ‘comedy king’ with social satire and cultural commentary, passed away on Friday in a private hospital in Mohali at the age of 65.
Popular as Chacha Chatra, Bhalla’s last rites will be performed on Saturday at the Balongi Cremation Ground in Mohali, near here, said the family.
The veteran actor had been ill for a long time.
He would be remembered for his comic roles in the Punjabi film industry.
Jaswinder Bhalla was known for his roles in Punjabi films like ‘Carry On Jatta’, ‘Mahaul Theek Hai’, ‘Jatt Airways’ and 'Jatt & Juliet 2’.
He started acting with films such as ‘Dulha Bhatti’ and also appeared in fellow comedian Jaspal Bhatti’s Hindi comedy ‘Mahaul Theek Hai’.
His last performed in ‘Shinda Shinda No Papa’, where he shared the screen with Gippy Grewal and Hina Khan in the lead roles.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann described the sudden departure of Jaswinder Bhalla as “extremely sorrowful”. “The heart is saddened by the silence of the jingle of Chhankatian.. May Waheguru grant him a place at His feet…Chacha Chatra will always reside in our hearts,” CM Mann wrote on X.