JALANDHAR/CHANDIGARH: Noted comedian and filmmaker Jaspal Bhatti, 57, died in a road accident near Shahkot in the early hours on Thursday. Bhatti along with his son Jasraj who was on the wheel, and two others was coming to Jalandhar from Bathinda for the promotion of his new film 'Power Cut' when the car hit a tree on the roadside.
Bhatti was sitting in the rear seat of the car and received serious head injuries. The accident took place near the truck union on the outskirts of Shahkot.
"It is a blind turn. Either Jasraj had a nap or could not notice the turn and the car hit the tree," said Shahkot DSP M S Bhullar.
The injured - son Jasraj, film heroine Surilie Gautam and Bhatti's media advisor Navneet - were shifted immediately rushed to hospital.
"Bhatti and the three injured were rushed to Orthonova Hospital in Jalandhar immediately in an ambulance and Bhatti died on the way," Bhullar said. "Had it not been quick shifting, Navneet's life would also have been danger as he was also sinking," he added.
Bhatti in his typical style had taken the star cast of his film to the power plant Bathinda to pay obeisance there. The hero of the film is named Current and the heroine Bijli. After finishing the promotion work in Batinda they were coming to Jalandhar where they were scheduled to interact with the media in Jalandhar at 12.30pm in the afternoon on Thursday. The media in Jalandhar had already been sent messages in typical Bhatti style as it read "Pirated music launch scoop by Jaspal Bhatti of his new movie Power Cut....".
Jaspal Bhatti's body has been shifted to Civil Hospital Jalandhar for post mortem.
Bhatti who shot into fame from his satirical shows 'Ulta Pulta' and 'Flop Show', had given a new dimension to comedy in TV serials. He was the first turbaned Sikh comedian on Indian TV.
Meanwhile, friends and fans of Jaspal Bhatti expressed their condolences on Facebook after the news of his demise spread early Thursday morning. The Facebook account of Bhatti is flooded with messages of 'Rest in Peace' with people expressing shock at his untimely death in the road accident near Jalandhar.
"May his soul rest in please. Difficult to forget his serials, which will always live in the heart of people," posts Raj Kumar. "Shocking sad news. A big loss," says Inderpal Singh. "No words to express d grief fr someone who made us laugh... Ur contribution to Indian comedy will always be remembered ....RIP," adds Prithvi Vasdev. "So shocked to Hear the sad demise of man who put smiles on our face with his witty one liners and comedy shows.....JASPAL BHATTI JI RIP...", says Chanderdeep Bhatia.
On October 21, Jaspal Bhatti had posted, "Do watch the first day first show of Power Cut movie this Friday." The film launches his son Jasraj and he had been travelling for the past few days to promote the film.
The latest post by the administration declares, "Our beloved, the King of Comedy & Social Satire, Jaspal Bhatti is no more. Unending tears flow down as we share this unfortunate news with you. An irreparable loss for the entire industry. Let's pray - may the departed soul rest in peace..."
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 language. He played the role of Jolly Good Singh, a guard, in the movie 'Fanaa'. He also starred in the comedy 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 this evening after his body is brought here after completion of various legal formalities, including post-mortem.
