Chandigarh: Emotions ran high at Gurudwara Shri Guru Teg Bahadur Sahib, Sector-34, where the Bhog and Antim Ardaas of iconic Punjabi comedian Jaswinder Bhalla were held today. A sea of admirers, colleagues from the entertainment industry, and leaders from political circles gathered to honor the memory of a man who brought endless laughter to millions.
Prominent faces from Punjabi cinema, including Gippy Grewal, Gurpreet Ghuggi, and director Sameep Kang, joined the congregation. Political dignitaries such as Punjab minister Hardeep Singh Mundia and MP Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer also marked their presence. Punjab Congress chief Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, accompanied by his wife, was among those who paid respects.
Former Punjab Film Censor Board member R.R. Gill recalled Bhalla’s unique legacy, noting that his shows always stood out for their “clean humor.” “His scripts barely needed reviewing—such was the purity and quality of his work,” Gill said.
Bhalla, fondly remembered as the ‘Comedy King of Punjab’, passed away on August 22 at the age of 65 after suffering a brain stroke. Born in Doraha, Ludhiana, he carved a career spanning decades, leaving behind a body of work that shaped Punjabi comedy on both stage and screen.
The actor’s last rites had been conducted a day after his demise in Mohali, where his son Pukhraj Bhalla performed the final rites. The cremation saw an emotional turnout from artists such as Binnu Dhillon, Neeru Bajwa, Jimmy Shergill, BN Sharma, Hans Raj Hans, Amar Noori, and Mankirt Aulakh, alongside political leaders including Sunil Jakhar, Tarunpreet Saundh, and Balbir Sidhu.
Outside the Gurudwara in Chandigarh today, police made special security arrangements as thousands arrived to pay homage. Despite the grief, there was a collective sense of gratitude for the laughter Bhalla spread during his lifetime.
