Jaspal Bhatti, Indian comedian, dies in car crash

Jaspal Bhatti used humour and satire to highlight serious issues like corruption, inflation and female foeticide

One of India's most popular comedians Jaspal Bhatti has died in a road crash in Jalandhar city in Punjab state.

Mr Bhatti, 57, was travelling from Moga to Jalandhar to promote his new film Power Cut when his car hit a tree early on Thursday, reports said.

The comedian was hugely popular in the 1980s and 1990s when he did hit television shows like the Flop Show and Ulta Pulta (Upside Down).

He had also acted in several Hindi and Punjabi films.

Bhatti's son Jasraj, who was driving the car, and the film's heroine, Surili Gautam, were also injured in the accident, Press Trust of India reported.

They have been taken to a hospital in Jalandhar, it said.

Mr Bhatti will be cremated later on Thursday, reports said.

The comedian used humour and satire to highlight serious issues like corruption, inflation and female foeticide.

He also did street theatre and addressed what he called "mock press conferences" where he mocked the authorities for their failures.