Jaswinder Bhalla

Jaswinder Singh Bhalla (born on 4th, May 1960) in Doraha, Ludhiana, Punjab, India is a Punjabi comedian and actor. He is also a faculty at Punjab Agricultural University.^[1] He started his professional carrier as a comedian in 1988 with Chankata 88 and became actor with film Dulla Bhatti. He is best known for his comedy series Chankatta and comedy roles in various Punjabi films. He is famous for always using taglines in his movies, and bringing a comic touch to movies through them. He also performs in stage acts and has done tours of Canada and Australia for his stage show Naughty Baba in Town.^[2]

Education

He did his Ph.D. in Agriculture Science from Punjab Agricultural University ^[1] and is a full time professor at PAU as well.

Comedy Career

As a student at Punjab Agricultural University, Jaswinder Bhalla had done comedy performances in university programmes. He started his professional career in 1988 along with co-performer Bal Mukund Sharma with audio cassette Chhankata 1988.^[3]Bal Mukund Sharma and Jasiwnder Bhalla were classmates in Punjab Agriculture University.^[4] Word Chankata originated from the collage level annual show performed by Bhalla and Sharma in PAU. They were noticed by Doordarshan Kendra, Jalandhar while performing in Pro. Mohan Singh Mela (culture festival). On personal backing of Punjabi author Jagdev Singh Jassowal. He has released over 27 audio and video albums of Chankata series. Apart from Bal Mukund Sharma, Neelu Sharma has also been part of Chhankata series. Starting with Chhankata 2002, series is also realised as video cassette..^[5]

Popular Characters

In his Chhankata series, he portrays many characters carefully chosen from all walks of Punjabi society. One of the main characters is Chacha (Uncle) Chatur 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 potrays is Bhana, a youngster from Chatur Singh's village who has emigrated to USA and appears in the Chhankata as NRI. JB, another character potrayed by Jaswinder Bhalla, is the son of Chatur Singh. Another notable character is Taya Fumhan Singh.

Film Career

Jaswinder has worked in Punjabi feature films like "Mahaul Theek Hai," "Jeeja Ji," "Jihne Mera Dil Luteya", "Power cut," "Kabaddi Once Again," "Apan Phir Milange," "Mel Kara De Rabba," "Carry On Jatta," "Jatt and Juliet, Jatt Airways. In some punjabi films he always speak with different Takia Klams. Such as Mein Taa Bhannduu Bullan Naal Akhrote, Je Chandigarh Dhaijoo Pinda Warga Taa Rehjooo or Dhillon Ne Kaalaa Cot Aiven Ni Payeya. He said through his art, he highlights social evils like female foeticide, drugs and unemployment.

Controversy

In his album Chankatta 2003, he was alleged 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.^[6] His latest album Mithe Pochey also faced ire of Nambardaars of various villages in Punjab for his satire on them.^[7] He was allegedly assaulted by Punjab government official due to his satire on government.^[8][9][10]

Personal life

He is married to Parminder Bhalla. He has a son named Pukhraj Bhalla, who has also appeared in some of the Chankata cassettes since 2002.^[11] He also has a daughter. He is good friends with Balmukund Sharma, who appears as Bhateej in the Chhankata series.

Albums

1. Chhankata 88
   
2. Chhankata 90
   
3. Chhankata 91
   
4. Chhankata 92
   
5. Chhankata 92 1/2
   
6. Chhankata 93
   
7. Chhankata 93 1/2(Chacha Shame Shame)
   
8. Chhankata 94
   
9. Chhankata 95
   
10. Chhankata 96
    
11. Chhankata 96 1/2
    
12. Chhankata 97
    
13. Chhankata 97 1/2
    
14. Chhankata 98
    
15. Chhankata 98 3/4
    
16. Chhankata 99 1/4
    
17. Chhankata 99 1/2
    
18. Chhankata 2000
    
19. Chhankata 2000 1/2
    
20. Chhankata 2001
    
21. Chhankata 2002
    
22. Chhankata 2003 (Chacha Sudhar Gaya)
    
23. Chhankata 2004 (Ambarsar Da Paani)
    
24. Chhankata 2005 (Jarh 'Te Koke)
    
25. Chhankata 2006 (Kadd Tiya Kassran) - Special 25th Anniversary
    
26. Chhankata 2007 (Kar Ta Kunda)
    
27. Chhankata 2009 (Mithe Pochey)

Filmography

References