Rest in peace... Jaspal Bhatti, says TV actors

Noted humorist, producer of sitcoms and prominent director and actor Jaspal Bhatti passed away last night (24 October 2012) in a road accident in Jalandhar. He, along with his son Jasraj and co-actress Surilee Gautam were on a promotional tour of Punjab for their film Power Cut. Bhatti was dear to everyone he worked with. We got in touch with a few television actors who had the privilege of spending some moments (personal and professional) with him. The actors were in pain as they spoke about the humble human. Shared actress and Tarot Card reader Munisha Khatwani, “It’s extremely sad to hear the sad demise of Jaspalji. I remember I had done a live show with him; while I was anchoring it, he was doing standup comedy acts. It was great to watch him perform; he was simply flawless and spontaneous. I remember he came up to and humbly told me, ‘Aur madamji mera future kab batayenge’. My deepest condolences to his family.” Actor and comedian Rajesh Kumar, who was seen in Comedy Circus on Sony Entertainment Television, averred, “I did meet him once, I cannot yet believe the fact that he is no more. When I got the message, I thought it was a hoax one that keeps on flooding one’s cell for all the wrong reasons. But later, when I learnt that he is no more, I felt sad and shattered. He was a man who made us smile and laugh but was never vulgar. I feel really bad that this accident occurred to someone who spent his entire life in making the world smile. May his soul rest in peace.” Observed Sharhaan Singh, who was seen as Siddhartha in Uttaran, “I worked with Jaspal Bhatti in a Punjabi film. He was one of the most humble persons I ever came across. To me he was a guide, a mentor. I was supposed to do one more Punjabi film with him in which he was supposed to play my father and a scooter mechanic. But, it’s my bad luck. I just wish that may his soul rest in peace.” “I am shell-shocked. Jaspalji was a great comedian. I have grown up watching his comedy and learnt a lot from him. I have had the honour of working with his wife, Savitaji. She is wonderful lady and I can understand the grief she would be in at the moment. I texted her this morning when I learnt the news as I had absolutely no courage to call and talk to her. In the first week of next month, I intend to go and meet Savitaji and her daughter. I hope she gets in pink of health soon. She loves Jaspalji a lot and vice versa. I only wonder as to how she will live without him,” remarked Rajeev Thakur, who was seen is Golmaal Hai Bhai Sab Golmaal Hai. Anupam Shyam of Pratigya fame went on to share, “I haven’t worked with him but one thing that I would like to say in his honour…which is haste hue aate hain sab, par rote hue sab jayengey. He made us laugh and left us with tears in our eyes. The entire fraternity will miss him, he is irreplaceable. I shall always look up to him.” Ashish Kaul, who will be seen in Parvaarish on Sony Entertainment Television, say that Bhatti was the original king of comedy. “There was no one like him on the scene when he started 25 years ago. Though I met him in Mumbai a couple of times but have never got a chance to work with him as he had his base in Chandigarh from where he made his films. I will miss him a lot. My condolences to his family.” God bless this lovely soul!!!