Chandigarh, Aug 22 (PTI) Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Friday met the family of renowned actor Jaswinder Bhalla, who passed away this morning, and expressed his condolences.
Punjabi actor Bhalla on Friday morning died at a private hospital in Mohali where he was admitted following a brain haemorrhage two days ago. He was 65.
Mann visited Bhalla’s residence in Mohali to mourn the death of the noted actor.
Speaking to reporters, Mann said it is a sad day for the Punjabi art world when Jaswinder Bhalla, who played memorable roles in the Punjabi movies, is no more.
The CM said he used to listen to Bhalla’s audio-visual satirical series ‘Chhankata’ which first came out in 1988.
Mann was also a comedian before joining politics.
“He (Bhalla) gave new directions to Punjabi comedy,” he said.
The CM recalled that he would meet Bhalla at entertainment programmes organised at Doordarshan every year.
“He was a lively person,” said Mann.
Later in a statement, Mann said Bhalla’s demise was a huge personal loss for him and said the void created with his death will not be easy to fill in near future.
Bhalla experimented with new ideas in comedy, and refined existing forms of Punjabi cinema with his presence, said Mann.
Describing Bhalla as a multi-facet personality and a true son of soil, the CM said the ace comedian through his rare sarcastic humour and wit made enormous contribution in sensitizing the general public.
With the death of Bhalla, an era of Punjabi comedy has come to an end, he said, adding that the noted comedian will always be remembered by his fans.
Bhalla made an outstanding contribution for the promotion of Punjabi art and culture, said Mann.
Meanwhile, Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan too expressed grief over the untimely demise of Bhalla.
He said Bhalla was a great comedian who spread the fragrance of laughter through his art. PTI CHS NB NB
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