Popular Punjabi comedian Jaswinder Bhalla dies at 65

Popular Punjabi actor and comedian Jaswinder Bhalla, famous for his decades-long stint in Punjabi cinema, passed away in the early hours of Friday at Fortis Hospital in Mohali, Punjab. He was 65.

Reports say that his last rites will take place on Saturday at Balongi, with many colleagues from the Punjabi film industry expected to attend.

Bhalla built a distinguished career over nearly three decades, becoming a household name for his comic roles in films such as Dulha Bhatti, Jatt & Juliet, Sardaar Ji, and the Carry On Jatta series.

His portrayal of Advocate Dhillon in the three Carry On Jatta films, along with his memorable catchphrases, cemented his place in Punjabi cinema. He also appeared in the Hindi-language comedy Mahaul Theek Hai (1999) by Jaspal Bhatti.

His most recent screen appearance was in the 2024 film Shinda Shinda No Papa, featuring Gippy Grewal and Hina Khan.

Bhalla is survived by his wife Parmdeep, a fine arts teacher in Chandigarh, and their son Pukhraj Bhalla, who has also pursued acting. Pukhraj, initially an engineer, followed his father into the entertainment industry, appearing in music videos and films, including sharing the screen with Jaswinder in the 2013 film Stupid 7.