Jaswinder Bhalla (4 May 1960 – 22 August 2025) was an Indian actor and comedian who worked in Punjabi cinema. He started his professional career as a comedian in 1988 with Chhankata and became an actor with film Dulla Bhatti (1998). He was best known for his comedy series Chhankata and comedy roles in various Punjabi films. He also performed in stage acts and toured Canada and Australia for his stage show Naughty Baba in Town.[1]
Bhalla was born in the village Kaddon city of Ludhiana, Punjab on 4 May 1960.[2] His father Master Bahadur Singh Bhalla was a primary school teacher in village Barmalipur. He got his basic education from Senior Secondary School Doraha.[3]
Bhalla and two of his schoolmates were selected for All India Radio in 1975. As a student at Punjab Agricultural University, Bhalla had performed comedy performances in university programmes. He started his professional career in 1988 along with co-performer Bal Mukand Sharma with audio cassette Chhankata 1988.[7] Bal Mukand Sharma and Bhalla were classmates in Punjab Agriculture University.[8] The word "chhankata" originated from the college level annual show performed by Bhalla and Sharma in PAU, that was later used as the name for his famous comedy series. They were noticed by Doordarshan Kendra, Jalandhar while performing in Professor Mohan Singh Mela on the personal backing of Punjabi author Jagdev Singh Jassowal. He had released over 27 audio and video albums of the Chhankata series. Apart from Bal Mukand Sharma, Neelu Sharma has also been part of the Chhankata series. Starting with Chhankata in 2002, the series was also released in the form of video cassettes.[9]
Popular characters
In his Chhankata series, Bhalla portrayed many characters carefully chosen from all walks of Punjabi society.[10] One of the main characters is Chacha Chatar Singh, who is an old villager and talks about Punjab's politics, differences between rural and urban life, and tells jokes from all walks of life. Another character he portrayed is Bhana, a youngster from Chatar Singh's village who has emigrated to the USA and appears in the Chhankata as NRI. JB, another character portrayed by Bhalla, is the son of Chatar Singh. Another notable character is Taya Fumhan Singh.[11]
Film career
Bhalla worked in Punjabi movies like Mahaul Theek Hai, Jija Ji, Jihne Mera Dil Luteya, Power cut, Kabaddi Once Again, Apan Phir Milange, Mel Kara De Rabba, Carry On Jatta, Jatt and Juliet, and Jatt Airways. In some Punjabi films, he always spoke with different Takia Klams (transl.catchphrase), such as Mein Taa Bhannduu Bullan Naal Akhrote, Je Chandigarh Dhaijoo Pinda Warga Taa Rehjooo and Dhillon Ne Kaalaa Cot Aiven Ni Payeya. He stated that through his art, he highlighted social taboos like abortion, drugs and unemployment.[12][13]
Other ventures
Bhalla served as a brand ambassador for Atulaya Healthcare, a leading diagnostic and imaging services provider in North India. He appeared in television commercials, press campaigns, and promotional events for the brand.[14] The advertising campaigns were conceptualised and executed by Antraajaal, a Chandigarh-based branding and marketing agency, which managed Bhalla’s television advertisements and social media promotions for Atulaya Healthcare.[15]
In addition, Bhalla was also appointed as the brand ambassador for Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), where he promoted the university’s agricultural research and outreach initiatives. Even after his retirement, he remained actively associated with PAU, helping the institution connect with farmers and spread awareness on agricultural development.[16]
Controversy
In his album Chhankata in 2003, Bhalla was accused by certain ragi jathas of making mockery of them and raised strong objections to his album. An apology was issued by the artists and producer of the album.[17] His 2009 album Mithe Pochey also faced ire of Nambardaars of various villages in Punjab for his satire on them.[18] He was allegedly assaulted by Punjab government officials due to his satire on government.[19][20][21]
Personal life and death
Bhalla was married to Paramdeep Bhalla, a teacher of fine arts. Their marriage produced two children, one of who is Pukhraj Bhalla.[22]
Bhalla died on 22 August 2025, aged 65.[23][24] He died at Fortis Hospital in Mohali, Punjab, following complications from a stroke.[25][24] It was reported that Bhalla had suffered the stroke on 20 August and was admitted to the hospital shortly thereafter.[26][24][26][23]
Bhalla's remains were cremated during a ceremony on 23 August 2025, at the Balongi Cremation Ground in Mohali, where family, friends and colleagues from the Punjabi entertainment industry gathered to pay their respects.[27][24]
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