Popular comedian and film director Jaspal Bhatti, who touched a chord with the masses with his humorous take on problems plaguing the common man, died when his car rammed into a roadside tree in the wee hours on Thursday.

The satirist's son Jasraj who was driving the car and actress Surilie Gautam, the heroine of his film 'Power Cut' which is to be released on Friday, were seriously injured in the mishap, police said.

The 57-year-old actor-director, who made his way into the hearts of people with his satirical shows like 'Ulta Pulta' and 'Flop Show', was on a tour to promote the film when the accident took place near Shahkot in Nakodar area of the district at 2:30 AM, Bhatti's associate Vinod Sharma told PTI here.

They were rushed to a private hospital in Jalandhar where Bhatti was declared brought dead.

"His body was brought to the hospital after 3 AM and aftermedical examination he was declared dead," said Dr Harpreet Singh.

Bhatti leaves behind his wife Savita, a son and a daughter Raabiya.

Sharma said that Bhatti was going to Jalandhar from Bhatinda for the promotion of his Punjabi film which is based on the frequent power cuts in Punjab.

Bhatti's son Jasraj and Gautam have been referred to a Ludhiana hospital now.

According to doctors, they are in a stable but critical condition.

Born on March 3, 1955 at Amritsar, Bhatti graduated from Punjab Engineering College, Chandigarh as an electrical engineer.