Jaspal Bhatti
{{Short description|Indian actor (1955–2012)}}
{{EngvarB|date=August 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2023}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Jaspal Bhatti
| image = Jaspal Bhatti.jpg
| image_size = 250px
| birth_name = Jaspal Singh Bhatti
| birth_date = {{Birth date|df=yes|1955|03|03}}
| birth_place = Amritsar, Punjab, India
| death_date = {{Death date and age|df=yes|2012|10|25|1955|03|03}}
| death_place = Shahkot, Jalandhar, Punjab, India
| alma_mater = Punjab Engineering College
| occupation = {{flatlist|
- Actor
- director
- producer
}}
| spouse = {{marriage|Savita Bhatti|1985}}
| children = 2
| relatives = Surilie Gautam (daughter-in-law)
| notable_works = {{flatlist|
- Ulta Pulta
- Flop Show
- Full Tension}}
| years_active = 1985–2012
| honours = Padma Bhushan (2013)
}}
Jaspal Singh Bhatti (3 March 1955 – 25 October 2012) was an Indian television personality known for his satirical take on the problems of the common man. He was most well known for his television series Flop Show, Full Tension and mini capsules Ulta Pulta which ran on Doordarshan, India's public service broadcaster, in the late 1980s and early 1990s. He was commonly known as the "King of Comedy" and also the "King of Satire". He carried out various anti-corruption crusades in Chandigarh. His frontal attack on issues like red-tapism, nepotism, and corruption was both comic and awakening for the masses.
In 2013, he was (posthumously) awarded the Padma Bhushan, India's third-highest civilian award.
Early background and personal life
Bhatti was born on 3 March 1955 in Amritsar, East Punjab, Republic of India into a Punjabi Rajput Sikh family.{{cite magazine |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/entertainment/photo/jaspal-bhatti-the-funnyman-of-indian-television-368513-2012-10-25 |title=Jaspal Bhatti: The funnyman of Indian television | IndiaToday|magazine=India Today |date= |access-date=7 May 2022}} Bhatti graduated from Punjab Engineering College (PEC) in Chandigarh as an electrical engineer.{{cite news |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-10-25/news-interviews/34729005_1_jaspal-bhatti-critical-condition-punjabi-film |title=Jaspal Bhatti's son, actress Surilie in a critical condition; |year=2012 |access-date=7 February 2012 |archive-date=28 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131028081728/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-10-25/news-interviews/34729005_1_jaspal-bhatti-critical-condition-punjabi-film |work=The Times of India |url-status=dead }} Bhatti married Savita Bhatti on 24 March 1985, and has a son, Jasraj Bhatti, and a daughter, Raabiya Bhatti.{{cite web |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-11-02/news-interviews/30355538_1_animation-festival-jaspal-bhatti-cms-vatavaran |title=Bhatti's film makes it to Sandfly Film Festival |year=2012 |access-date=7 February 2012 |archive-date=29 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029140026/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-11-02/news-interviews/30355538_1_animation-festival-jaspal-bhatti-cms-vatavaran |work=The Times of India |url-status=dead }} His wife Savita Bhatti was chosen in the 2014 Indian general elections, as a candidate of the Aam Aadmi Party from Chandigarh, but she opted out.{{cite web|title=Jaspal Bhatti's wife Savita to contest Polls from Chandigarh as AAP Candidate but now she refused the Aam Aadmi Party ticket.|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/AAPs-LS-candidate-Savita-Bhatti-opts-out-of-race/articleshow/31725267.cms|work=IANS|publisher=news.biharprabha.com|access-date=1 March 2014|archive-date=13 March 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140313231842/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/AAPs-LS-candidate-Savita-Bhatti-opts-out-of-race/articleshow/31725267.cms|url-status=live}}
''Flop Show''
His low-budget Flop Show, the TV series in the early 1990s, is remembered even today. His wife Savita Bhatti produced the show and acted in all 10 episodes as his wife. The show has had a long and powerful legacy and is well-remembered.{{cite news |url=https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/why-jaspal-bhatti-was-never-a-flop-show-502196.html |title=Why Jaspal Bhatti was never a Flop Show |last=Magotra |first=Ashish |date=25 October 2012 |website=Firstpost |access-date=16 April 2018 |archive-date=17 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180417030520/https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/why-jaspal-bhatti-was-never-a-flop-show-502196.html |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://www.mid-day.com/photos/why-jaspal-bhattis-flop-show-was-a-super-hit/3981 |title=Why Jaspal Bhatti's Flop Show was a super hit |date=3 March 2018 |website=Mid-Day |access-date=16 April 2018 |archive-date=17 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180417105354/https://www.mid-day.com/photos/why-jaspal-bhattis-flop-show-was-a-super-hit/3981 |url-status=live }} One of his co-actors Vivek Shauq became pretty successful after his stint in Flop Show, having found a solid footing in Hindi cinema.
Subsequent work
Bhatti subsequently acted and directed the popular TV series Ulta Pulta and Nonsense Private Limited for the Doordarshan network. What attracted the 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 in his film Mahaul Theek Hai (1999) was his first directorial venture for a full-length feature film in his native Punjabi language. 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 the 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.{{cite web|url=http://www.lovechandigarh.com/wishes/26987-jaspal-bhatti-savita-bhatti-all-set-dance-nach-baliye-4-a.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110218043714/http://www.lovechandigarh.com/wishes/26987-jaspal-bhatti-savita-bhatti-all-set-dance-nach-baliye-4-a.html|url-status=dead|title=LC News|archive-date=18 February 2011}} The couple demonstrated their dancing and comic skills.
In his later years, Jaspal Bhatti set up a training school{{cite web|url=http://madarts.in/|title=Mad Arts, Jaspal Bhatti Film Studio| Chandigarh, India ||access-date=6 July 2012|archive-date=23 July 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120723074118/http://madarts.in/|url-status=live}} and a studio in Mohali near Chandigarh called "Joke Factory".
He also launched a 52-episode comedy series titled Thank You Jijaji{{cite web|url=http://www.lovechandigarh.com/showthread.php?t=145066|title=Thank You Jija Ji|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111005165249/http://www.lovechandigarh.com/showthread.php?t=145066|archive-date=5 October 2011}} on Sony's family entertainment channel, SAB TV. It was shot at his own [http://www.madarts.in MAD Arts] film school at Chandigarh.
At a 2009 carnival in Chandigarh, Bhatti put up a stall displaying vegetables, pulses 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.{{cite web|url=https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-comedian-jaspal-bhatti-holds-a-spoof-on-inflation-in-chandigarh-1318037|title=Comedian Jaspal Bhatti holds a spoof on inflation in Chandigarh|date=29 November 2009|website=DNA India|access-date=2 August 2019|archive-date=2 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190802022235/https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-comedian-jaspal-bhatti-holds-a-spoof-on-inflation-in-chandigarh-1318037|url-status=live}}
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.{{cite web|url=http://www.punjabnewsline.com/content/view/21638/143/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091212153930/http://www.punjabnewsline.com/content/view/21638/143/|url-status=dead|title="Nanhi Chidiya"|archive-date=12 December 2009}} It won a certificate of merit at the IDPA-2008 Awards in Mumbai.{{cite web|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/2009/20091209/cth1.htm|title=The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Chandigarh Stories|website=www.tribuneindia.com|access-date=2 August 2019|archive-date=31 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170531094643/http://www.tribuneindia.com/2009/20091209/cth1.htm|url-status=live}}
Bhatti was granted the Lifetime Achievement Award, at the first Golden Kela Awards.{{cite web|url=http://www.merinews.com/article/golden-kela-awards--razzies-of-bollywood/15795281.shtml|title=Golden Kela Awards- Razzies of Bollywood|website=www.merinews.com|access-date=10 February 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304131904/http://www.merinews.com/article/golden-kela-awards--razzies-of-bollywood/15795281.shtml|archive-date=4 March 2016|url-status=dead}}
Jaspal Bhatti was awarded Padma Bhushan by the Government of India, posthumously on Republic Day 2013 for his contribution to the 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.{{cite news|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/jaspal-bhatti-punjabi-comedian-and-satirist-ulta-pulta/1/226213.html|title=Hawala Party.|date=25 October 2012|work=India Today|access-date=25 October 2012|location=New Delhi|archive-date=25 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025232408/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/jaspal-bhatti-punjabi-comedian-and-satirist-ulta-pulta/1/226213.html|url-status=live}}
In 2002, Bhatti announced that he was starting the "Suitcase Party" and released his manifesto allotting 5 seats to his family & more seats to be decided based on the suitcase size of the prospective candidates.{{cite news|url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2002/20020129/cth1.htm|title=Suitcase Party.|date=29 January 2002|work=The Tribune India|access-date=25 October 2012|location=Chandigarh|archive-date=31 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131031104748/http://www.tribuneindia.com/2002/20020129/cth1.htm|url-status=live}}
In 2009, the comedian announced that he was floating the "Recession Party" and 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 would be no shortage of supply if his party was voted to power.{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ludhiana/Bhatti-names-his-candidate/articleshow/4328382.cms|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130103082139/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2009-03-28/ludhiana/28008923_1_jaspal-bhatti-recession-party-pollution-level|url-status=live|archive-date=3 January 2013|title=Recession Party.|date=28 March 2009|access-date=25 October 2012|work=The Times of India|location=Ludhiana}}
Critical response
India's leading media critic Amita Malik said of him: {{blockquote|"Bhatti has the correct style for TV, an understated, quiet humour which sinks in without shouting, and which mercilessly exposes both corruption in our everyday 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."{{cite web|url=http://madarts.in/the-team/the-director/ |title=Mad Arts, Jaspal Bhatti Film School | The Director – Jaspal Bhatti |publisher=Madarts.in |access-date=26 October 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121125110543/http://madarts.in/the-team/the-director/ |archive-date=25 November 2012 }}}}
Death
Bhatti died in a car accident near Shahkot in the Jalandhar district on 25 October 2012, aged 57. The car was being driven by his son, Jasraj Bhatti.{{cite web|url=http://www.punjabiportal.com/articles/jaspal-bhatti-death-dead-no-more-accident|title=Laughs of a Generation died with Jaspal Bhatti|access-date=25 October 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121026013338/http://www.punjabiportal.com/articles/jaspal-bhatti-death-dead-no-more-accident|archive-date=26 October 2012}}{{cite news|title=Jaspal Bhatti dies in road accident in Punjab|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/comedian-jaspal-bhatti-dead-in-road-accident-in-shahkot-in-punjab/1/226080.html|access-date=4 August 2016|publisher=India Today|archive-date=10 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160910113440/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/comedian-jaspal-bhatti-dead-in-road-accident-in-shahkot-in-punjab/1/226080.html|url-status=live}} Jaspal died just one day before the release of his film Power Cut starring his son Jasraj.{{cite news | url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/news-interviews/Jaspal-Bhatti-died-a-day-before-sons-debut-film-release/articleshow/16962323.cms | title=Jaspal Bhatti died a day before son's debut film release | access-date=23 October 2013 | archive-date=29 October 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029190214/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-10-26/news-interviews/34749228_1_jaspal-bhatti-savita-bhatti-jasraj | work=The Times of India | url-status=live }}
In his remembrance, his wife Savita Bhatti organised 'Jaspal Bhatti Humor Festival' which takes place every year on his birth anniversary in Chandigarh.{{cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/lifestyle/art-and-culture/jaspal-bhatti-humor-festival-a-reunion-and-homage-at-chowki-no-10-5083627/|title=Jaspal Bhatti Humor Festival: A reunion and homage at Chowki No 10|date=2 March 2018|website=The Indian Express|language=en-US|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180731193939/https://indianexpress.com/article/lifestyle/art-and-culture/jaspal-bhatti-humor-festival-a-reunion-and-homage-at-chowki-no-10-5083627/|archive-date=31 July 2018|access-date=31 March 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://theprint.in/theprint-profile/a-unique-way-to-remember-jaspal-bhatti-indias-foremost-humourist-satirist/200765/|title=A unique way to remember Jaspal Bhatti, India's foremost humorist and satirist|date=3 March 2019|website=ThePrint|language=en-US|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200505120907/https://theprint.in/theprint-profile/a-unique-way-to-remember-jaspal-bhatti-indias-foremost-humourist-satirist/200765/|archive-date=5 May 2020|access-date=31 March 2020}}
Awards and honours
Filmography
=As actor=
- Dil Pardesi Ho Gaya (2013) (Posthumous release)
- Power Cut (2012) – Actor and director
- Dharti (2011) – Surveen's Dad
- Mausam (2011)
- Hum Tum Shabana (2011) Guest appearance
- Chak De Phatte (2009) – Pyara Singh Lovely
- Ek: The Power of One (2009)
- Fanaa (2006) – Jolly Good Singh
- Nalaik (2006) – Daku Mann Singh
- Mera Dil Leke Dekkho (2006)
- Jija Ji (2005) – Jija Ji
- Kuchh Meetha Ho Jaye (2005) – Ram Saran Dubey
- Nalayak (2005)
- Kuch Naa Kaho (2003) – Monty Ahluwalia
- Tujhe Meri Kasam (2003) – Sardarji
- Jaani Dushman: Ek Anokhi Kahani (2002)
- Koi Mere Dil Se Poochhe (2002) – Naraaz Shankar
- Shakti: The Power (2002) – Nandini's uncle
- Yeh Hai Jalwa (2002) – Buta Singh
- Hamara Dil Aapke Paas Hai (2000) – Balwinder (Balu)
- Khauff (2000) – Hava Singh/Dava Singh
- Woh Bewafa Thi (2000)
- Kartoos (1999) – Mini's uncle
- Mahaul Theek Hai (1999)
- Aa Ab Laut Chalen (1999) – Iqbal
- Jaanam Samjha Karo (1999) – Tubby, Rahul's Secretary
- Kaala Samrajya (1999)
- Wanted: Gurdas Mann Dead or Alive (1994) – Thanedaar
=As director=
- Mahaul Theek Hai (1999) (Also writer and producer)
- Power Cut (2012) (Also writer and producer)
=TV serials=
References
{{Reflist|2}}
External links
- {{IMDb name|0080377}}
- [http://www.jaspalbhatti.com/Official Site] Jaspal Bhatti's Official Website
{{Subject bar
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{{PadmaBhushanAwardRecipients 2010–19}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Bhatti, Jaspal}}
Category:Indian political artists
Category:Male actors in Punjabi cinema
Category:Male actors in Hindi cinema
Category:Male actors from Amritsar
Category:Artists from Amritsar
Category:Punjab Engineering College alumni
Category:Panjab University alumni
Category:Recipients of the Padma Bhushan in arts
Category:Engineers from Punjab, India
Category:21st-century Indian male actors
Category:20th-century Indian male actors
Category:Male actors from Chandigarh