Popular comedian and film director Jaspal Bhatti, who touched a chord with the masses with his humorous take on problems plaguing the common man, died when his car rammed into a roadside tree in the wee hours of Thursday.
The satirist’s son Jasraj who was driving the car and actress Surilie Gautam, the heroine of his film Power Cut which is to be released on Friday, were seriously injured in the mishap, police said.
The 57-year-old actor-director, who made his way into the hearts of his people with his satirical shows like ‘Ulta Pulta’ and ‘Flop Show’, was on a tour to promote the film when the accident took place near Shahkot in Nakodar area of the district at 2:30 a.m., Bhatti’s associate Vinod Sharma told PTI in Chandigarh.
They were rushed to a private hospital in Jalandhar, where Bhatti was declared brought dead.
“His body was brought to the hospital after 3 a.m. and after medical examination he was declared dead,” said Dr Harpreet Singh.
Bhatti leaves behind his wife Savita, a son and a daughter Raabiya.
Sharma said that Bhatti was going to Jalandhar from Bhatinda for the promotion of his Punjabi film which is based on the frequent power cuts in Punjab.
Bhatti’s son Jasraj and Gautam have been referred to a Ludhiana hospital. According to doctors, they are in a stable but critical condition.
Born on March 3, 1955, at Amritsar, Bhatti graduated from Punjab Engineering College, Chandigarh as an electrical engineer.
During his college days, he was popular for his street plays which were spoofs ridiculing corruption in society.
Before venturing into television, he was a cartoonist for the The Tribune newspaper in Chandigarh.
His satire on the Punjab police, Mahaul Theek Hai, was his first directorial venture in Punjabi. He played the role of Jolly Good Singh, a guard, in the movie Fanaa. He also starred in the Punjabi film Jijaji.
Bhatti and his wife Savita competed in a reality show ’Nach Baliye’ in 2008. The couple put their best foot forward to entertain the audiences with their dancing and comic skills.
The cremation is expected to take place later Thursday evening after his body is brought to Chandigarh after completion of various legal formalities and post-mortem.
Bollywood mourns Bhatti’s death
Bhatti died when his car rammed into a roadside tree in the wee hours. While his son Jasraj, who was driving the car and actress Surilie Gautam were seriously injured in the mishap
Anupam Kher, who was quite close to Bhatti, tweeted, “Just landed in Mumbai and came to know about my friend Jaspal Bhatti’s tragic death. Why is God taking away all d nicest people. So SAD (sic).
“I used to tell Jaspal Bhatti that he does fantastic comedy so seriously. He was also a great supporter of anti corruption campaign. RIP.”
Actor Akshay Kumar recalled memories of Bhatti’s hit TV series ‘Flop Show’. “Saddened to know about the death of the great comedian, Jaspal Bhatti. I have fond memories of his super hit show, Flop Show, providing the much needed humour in our lives. May his soul rest in peace,” Akshay posted on Twitter.
Filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar said Bhatti had mastered the art of making people laugh. “RIP Bhatti ji, may God give strength to your family,” he added.
Actor Jimmy Sheirgill, who also hails from Punjab, seemed shaken with the news.
“Received another shockingly terrible news of the demise of Jaspal Bhatti saab today... I don’t know what’s hapenning…so sad... RIP,” said Sheirgill.
“My deepest condolences to late Jaspal Bhatti’s family! May God give them strength to bear this sudden loss! May Bhatti saab rest in peace!” said Manoj Bajpayee.
“Really sad to hear the news about Jaspal Bhatti’s death.. What an incredible entertainer he was..,” tweeted Kunal Kapoor.
Aftab Shivdasani tweeted, “Prayers for the soul of ace comedian Jaspalji Bhatti, unfortunate and sad. RIP.”
“RIP Jaspal Bhatti! really sad! He really got us all ’Ulta Pulta wth his wit n humor (sic),” said Divya Dutta.
“The man behind the superhit ‘Flop Show’, no more. RIP Bhatti sahab,” said Shreyas Talpade.
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