Punjabi cinema icon Jaswinder Bhalla dies at 65 in Mohali

Jaswinder Bhalla, a towering figure in Punjabi cinema and one of its most beloved comedians, died on Friday morning at a private hospital in Mohali after a brief illness. He was 65. Bhalla had been admitted a couple of days earlier following a neurological event, and doctors said he underwent intensive care before passing away. His last rites are scheduled for Saturday at the Balongi cremation ground in Mohali, bringing to a close a career that blended stage, screen and academia and left an enduring imprint on Punjabi culture.

Born on May 4, 1960, in Doraha, Ludhiana, Bhalla carved out a multifaceted career that spanned more than three decades. He first emerged in the entertainment scene in 1988 through the Chhankata series, where his character Chacha Chatra became a household name for his sharp satirical wit. He transitioned to films with a string of memorable performances, establishing himself in the Punjabi film industry with roles in Carry On Jatta, Jatt Juliet, Mahaul Theek Hai and numerous others. His on-screen persona combined infectious timing with a knack for balancing humor with social commentary, a formula that earned him widespread affection among audiences across...