Bhatti

Chandigarh, Oct. 25: Jaspal Bhatti, the man behind comedy shows like Ulta Pulta and Flop Show, died in a car crash today. He was 57.

Bhatti’s son Jasraj, who was driving the Honda Accord, actress Surilie Gautam and film producer Navneet Joshi were injured when the sedan rammed into a tree near Jalandhar, police said.

They were on way to Jalandhar from Bhatinda for the promotion of Bhatti’s upcoming Punjabi movie Power Cut, based on Punjab’s frequent electricity outages. The film releases tomorrow and stars Jasraj and Surilie, sister of Vicky Donor star Yami Gautam.

Bhatti was flung out of the car and declared brought dead in hospital. “It seems his head hit the ground and that proved fatal,” an officer said.

The police said Jasraj, in his early 20s, could have dozed off at the time of the 2.30am accident. Jasraj and Surilie were discharged from hospital later in the day but Joshi is critical, doctors said.

Bhatti is survived by wife Savita, daughter Raabiya and Jasraj, who lit Bhatti’s pyre this evening.

Bhatti straddled various fields: he was an engineer and a newspaper cartoonist before venturing into TV.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh condoled Bhatti’s “untimely” death and said he held up a mirror to society.

Bhatti also acted in many Hindi films, including the Salman Khan-starrer Janam Samjha Karo. Today, Bollywood showered tributes. Akshay Kumar recalled Flop Show in his post: “I have fond memories of his hit show. May his soul rest in peace.”