Jaspal Bhatti- An Era of Satire & Wit

Whenever I hear the name Jaspal Bhatti, instantly the name Flop Show hits the mind. Whosoever remembers the Golden Era of Doordarshan, definitely remembers the show named as "Flop Show". If one is unaware of that era, then also he/she would be aware of the show because of its re run & universal acceptance as the best satirical show ever aired on Indian Television.

Just because Bhatti Sahab left the world today,

I don't want to say that I'm his huge fan or I have watched his every show or skid. But as I'm a 90's born & an avid fan of Old Doordarshan. That's why Flop Show is one of the few show, I have in my collection. It is a serial consisting of mere 10 episodes. But each episode is a gem in itself. The height of the popularity of the show & Bhatti Sahab can only be measured as two decade after its first run, it brings the same smile as it brings two decade before. Its humor is timeless. It's an instant hit, declared cult classic by its fans.

May be people will remember him as one of the biggest comedian of the country, but for me he is the biggest satirist country will ever produced. He has poker face, his humor used to be dry, yet effective. Can you imagine anyone who can mock his own show? The feature that makes Flop Show immortal is that it mocks its own show, cast & crew. Credits rolling as miss-directed by, over acted by, are unimaginable & unbelievable. It takes huge guts & courage to deliver such power pack package. He uses the same cast to play different character, including his wife to play the real life character on screen. Jaspal Bhatti uses music also as a weapon to make people laugh. Whether it's the opening song, which is same for every episode includes a barking dog or the ending song which is different for every episode but relevant to the story of episode. Most importantly the song used to be the parody of some old songs. He never uses double meaning comedy to make people laugh. He uses his comic timing to connect with the problems of the people & than make them laugh.

Apart from Flop Show I remember him as Jolly Singh in Fanaa & as Salman's PA in Janam Samjha Karo. He is a popular name in Punjabi films. I also came to know that he dies in the accident when he is coming back from the promotion of his latest movie Power Cut. The venture for his son's debut is yet to be released. Since last week, it's second incident of such mishappenings. 2-3 days back Yash Ji left us in the same scenario where his last film is yet to be released. But in this case of Bhatti Sahab is more unfortunate as he can't see his son's debut also.

 The man who makes world laugh gets a tragic end. He makes people cry who is his target. He is the face of India against Corruption much before anyone else. He is a regular face for social issue. His latest film also tackles the social issue of power failure. He has left a huge legacy, to be taken forward. Though he is irreplaceable, then also someone has to come forward to fulfill his dream. He is an engineer, cartoonist, comedian, satirist, actor, director and over all a good human being who cares for other human being. For me he will always be there as the Super Hero of a Flop Show

RIP