Jaspal Bhatti

Jaspal Bhatti
ਜਸਪਾਲ ਭੱਟੀ
Born Jaspal Singh Bhatti
(1955-03-03)3 March 1955
Amritsar, Punjab, India
Died 25 October 2012(2012-10-25) (aged 57)
Jalandhar, Punjab, India
Occupation
  • Actor
  • Director
  • Producer
  • Television
Years active 1990–2012
Notable work
Spouse(s) Savita Bhatti (m. 1985)
Awards Padma Bhushan[1]

Jaspal Singh Bhatti (Punjabi: ਜਸਪਾਲ ਸਿੰਘ ਭੱਟੀ; 3 March 1955 – 25 October 2012) was a Punjabi Sikh television personality famous for his satirical take on the problems of the common man. He is most well known for his television series Flop Show and mini capsules Ulta Pulta which ran on Doordarshan, India's national television network, in the late 1980s and early 1990s. He was commonly known as "King of Comedy" and also "King of Satire".

On 2013, he was honoured with the Padma Bhushan (posthumously), India's third highest civilian award.[1]

Early background and personal life

Born on 3 March 1955 at Amritsar, Bhatti graduated from Punjab Engineering College, Chandigarh as an electrical engineer.[2] Bhatti married Savita Bhatti on 24 March 1985, and has a son, Jasraj Bhatti, and a daughter, Raabiya Bhatti.[3][4] His wife Savita Bhatti was chosen in 2014 Elections as a Candidate of Aam Aadmi Party from Chandigarh, but she opted out.[5]

Flop Show

His low-budget Flop Show TV series in the early 1990s is remembered even today. His wife Savita Bhatti produced the show and acted in all the episodes as his wife. Only 10 episodes were ever produced, but the show has had a long and powerful legacy and is well remembered. One of his co-actors Vivek Shauq has been very successful since his stint in Flop Show, having found a footing in Hindi cinema. On 10 January 2011, Shauq died from septicaemia.

Subsequent work

Bhatti subsequently acted and directed the popular TV series Ulta Pulta and Nonsense Private Limited for the Doordarshan television network. What attracted audience to his shows was his gift of inducing humour to highlight everyday issues of the middle class in India. Bhatti's satire on the Punjab police Mahaul Theek Hai (1999) was his first directorial venture for a full-length feature film in his native Punjabi language. It was well received amongst audience for its simple and honest humour. He played the role of Jolly Good Singh, a guard, in the movie Fanaa. He played a comical college principal in Koi Mere Dil Se Poochhe. He also starred in the comedy Punjabi film Jijaji.

Bhatti acted in Hindi Movie Aa Ab Laut Chalen with Kadar Khan in 1999.

Bhatti appeared in SAB TV's Comedy ka King Kaun as a judge with actress Divya Dutta. In his latest stint, Bhatti and his wife Savita competed in a popular Star Plus show Nach Baliye which went on air in October 2008.[6] The couple put their best foot forward to entertain the audiences with their dancing and comic skills.

The cartoonist, humorist, actor and filmmaker was focusing on acting as he was getting numerous offers from Bollywood producers as a comedian.

In his later years, Jaspal Bhatti set up a training school[7] and a studio in Mohali near Chandigarh called "Joke Factory".

He also launched a new 52-episode comedy series titled Thank You Jijaji[8] on Sony's family entertainment channel, SAB TV. It was shot at his own MAD Arts film school at Chandigarh.

At a 2009 carnival at Chandigarh, Bhatti put up a stall displaying vegetables, daal and oils. The onlookers were invited to throw rings around them to win these costly goods as prizes, poking fun at the government's failure to control inflation.[9]

In 2009, Bhatti school's, Mad Art's, animation film on female foeticide won the second prize in the Advantage India organised by 1take media.[10] It won a certificate of merit at the IDPA-2008 Awards in Mumbai.[11]

Bhatti was granted the Lifetime Achievement Award, at the first Golden Kela Awards.[12]

Jaspal Bhatti was awarded Padma Bhushan posthumously on Republic Day 2013 for his contribution to Arts.

Political satire

Bhatti was known for floating his political parties during elections to highlight the problems faced by the general public.

In 1995, he floated the 'Hawala Party' delighting passers-by with his original poker faced take on growing political corruption in the country which was already a hotly discussed topic in the context of the Jain-Hawala Diaries.[13]

In 2002, Bhatti announced that he was starting the "Suitcase Party" & released his manifesto allotting 5 seats to his family & more seats to be decided based on the suitcase size of the prospective candidates.[14]

In 2009, the comedian announced that he was floating the "Recession Party" & Bhajna Amli, alias Gurdev Dhillon, as his party's face from the Ludhiana. In his trademark satirical style, he kept his party's symbol as opium, drugs and alcohol for which he claimed that there will be no shortage of supply if his party is voted to power.[15]

Critical response

India's leading media critic Amita Malik says of him: "Bhatti has the correct style for TV, an understated, quiet humour which sinks in without shouting, and which mercilessly exposes both corruption in our every day life and the typical people, who thrive on it. The grim fact and the hard truths of our society so bitter otherwise are made so funny through the adept handling of Bhatti, that cleansing laughter is created out of common malpractices."[16]

Death

Bhatti died in a car accident near Shahkot in Jalandhar district on 25 October 2012, aged 57. The car was being driven by his son, Jasraj Bhatti.[17][18] Jaspal died just one day before the release of his film Power Cut starring his son Jasraj.[19] He is survived by his wife and children.[20]

Awards and honours

Year Name Awarding organisation
2013 Padma Bhushan Government of India[1]

Filmography

As Actor

As Director

TV serials

Tile Channel Role Notes
Ulta Pulta DD National Various characters
Flop Show DD National Various characters
Shehji Ki Advice
Full Tension
Thank you Jijaji SAB TV[21] Jijaji (husband of sister)
Dhaba Junction SAB TV[22] Dhaba (Punjabi roadside eating joint)
Hi Zindagi Bye Zindagi Zee TV Bhatti

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Padma Bhushan award for Jaspal Bhatti". Niti Central. 26 January 2013. Archived from the original on 27 January 2013. Retrieved 27 January 2013.
  2. ↑ "Jaspal Bhatti's son, actress Surilie in a critical condition;– Times of India". timesofindia.com. 2012. Retrieved 7 February 2012.
  3. ↑ "Bhatti's film makes it to Sandfly Film Festival – Times of India". indiatimes.com. 2012. Retrieved 7 February 2012.
  4. ↑ "Horrific end to a life of humour: Satirist Jaspal Bhatti, 57, killed in road accident". Daily Mail. London.
  5. ↑ "Jaspal Bhatti's wife Savita to contest Polls from Chandigarh as AAP Candidate but now she refused the Aam Aadmi Party ticket.". IANS. news.biharprabha.com. Retrieved 1 March 2014.
  6. ↑ LC News
  7. ↑ MADArts – Jaspal Bhatti Film School
  8. ↑ Thank You Jija Ji
  9. ↑ Comedian Jaspal Bhatti holds a spoof on inflation in Chandigarh
  10. ↑ “Nanhi Chidiya”
  11. ↑ 3-minute film contest: ‘Nanhi Chidiya’ wins second spot
  12. ↑ Golden Kela Awards- Razzies of Bollywood
  13. ↑ "Hawala Party.". India Today. New Delhi. 25 October 2012. Retrieved 25 October 2012.
  14. ↑ "Suitcase Party.". The Tribune India. Chandigarh. 29 January 2002. Retrieved 25 October 2012.
  15. ↑ "Recession Party.". Times of India. Ludhiana. 28 March 2009. Retrieved 25 October 2012.
  16. ↑ "Mad Arts, Jaspal Bhatti Film School | The Director – Jaspal Bhatti". Madarts.in. Archived from the original on 25 November 2012. Retrieved 26 October 2012.
  17. ↑ "Laughs of a Generation died with Jaspal Bhatti". Retrieved 25 October 2012.
  18. ↑ "Jaspal Bhatti dies in road accident in Punjab". India Today. Retrieved 4 August 2016.
  19. ↑ "Jaspal Bhatti died a day before son's debut film release – The Times of India". The Times of India.
  20. ↑ "Satirist, comedian Jaspal Bhatti dies in road accident". The Hindu Business Line. 25 October 2012. Retrieved 4 August 2016.
  21. ↑ Thank You Jijaji
  22. ↑
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