Mehar Mittal

Not one person in the Punjabi cinema, not even then a number of international clones, can match up to this man’s amli way of life, absolutely crazy antics and amazing sense of timing, which is the first and the last rule of comedy. These were the words used to describe the famous comedian Meher Mittal by Jaskiran Kaur in Chandigarh Newsline. He is well-known for playing comic roles in Punjabi films and worked in over a hundred Punjwood films. His total career span was of about three decades. He is a man who ruled Punjabi cinema and gave birth to unlimited laughter from his films ranging from the early seventies and mid-nineties. He was born in Bhatinda, located in Punjab state, and studied law in Chandigarh. After that, he practiced as a tax advocate for nearly eight years in that city itself.

Later on, at the age of 35, he went into an acting career. Soon he became a popular Punjabi actor, mostly because of his comic roles. He is the first Punjabi actor who started comedy in Punjwood films. His popularity was so high in those days, that in the 1980s, no major Punjabi movies were made without him in a prime role, whether be it a lead role or as a comedian. Due to this popularity, he was felicitated with many awards. On the occasion of 136th anniversary of Dadasaheb Phalke Jayanti, he was awarded Dadasaheb Phalke Academy award in 2013. He also attended the comedian of the year 2013 in Chandigarh. In an interview with Hindustan Times, he expressed his views regarding comedy these days. According to him, comedy has become artificial. During his time comedy was natural, and all characters he played was a real situation from various villages.

That is why, even today, people have still not forgotten about him and his roles. His roles had a social message for people. He feels that there is a need to explore more genres and more subjects. Some of his popular movies are Walayati Babu(1981), Shaheed Kartar Singh Sarabha(1977) Kunwara Mama(1979), and more such films. His personal favorites include Madari, Walayati Babu, Jeeja Saali, Kunwara Mama and Jatti. Now that he has turned 80, he says, that age is just a state of mind. He has embraced the spiritual way of living.