Bhagwant Mann is an Indian comedian, actor, and politician. As a comedian, he appeared in numerous Punjabi satire comedy TV shows and films like ‘Sawdhan Agge Bhagwant Mann,’ ‘Jugnu Haazir Hai’ and ‘Bhagwant Mann Non Stop.’ After ceasing his alliance with the Peoples’ Party of Punjab (PPP), in March 2014, Mann joined the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and member of parliament Sangrur Lok Sabha constituency of Punjab. As the chief ministerial candidate of AAP, he won the 2022 Punjab Legislative Assembly elections.
Table of Contents
Wiki/Biography
Bhagwant Mann was born on Wednesday 17 October 1973 (age 48 years; as of 2021) in Satauj, Sangrur, Punjab. A sports enthusiast since childhood, Mann spent his college days playing volleyball. In 1991, he pursued a Bachelor of Commerce at Shaheed Udham Singh Govt College, Sunam, Sangrur, where he first took to the stage.
Physical Appearance
Height (approx.): 5′ 8″
Hair Colour: Black
Eye Colour: Black
Family
Parents & Siblings
His father, Mohinder Singh, worked as a teacher. His mother’s name is Harpal Kaur.
Wife & Children
Bhagwant Mann is married to Inderpreet Kaur. Together, they have a son and a daughter.
A picture of Bhagwant Mann with his wife, Inderpreet Kaur, and children
In March 2015, Bhagwant Mann and Inderpreet Kaur filed an application for divorce in a SAS Nagar court. The news left many awestruck as they seemed like a happily married couple in public. Inderpreet had active participation in Mann’s political journey. She used to accompany Mann to political rallies during his Peoples’ Party of Punjab (PPP) days. During the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, Inderpreet delivered speeches in Mann’s favour in the villages of Sangrur to help him win.
A picture of Inderpreet Kaur delivering speeches in favour of AAP in the villages of Sangrur during the 2014 Lok Sabha elections
Later, the AAP MP from Sangrur publicly claimed that his divorce case wasn’t a personal matter and that he chose Punjab over family. Known for using poetry in his political campaigns, Mann posted a poem on his Facebook Account to express his sentiments about the divorce as well, which reads,
Jo latkeya si chiran ton o hal ho geya,
Court ch eh faisla kal ho geya,
Ek passay parivar, dujje passay si parivar,
Main tan yarro Punjab de wal ho geya.”
(A long-pending issue has been resolved. The court decided yesterday. I had to choose between one family and the other. I decided to go with Punjab)
Many also believed that Mann was trying to get political mileage out of his divorce case. Reportedly, the application was filed under Section 13-B of the Hindu Marriage Act, the decree of divorce by mutual consent. Although the couple isn’t legally divorced , they live separately. Apparently, the children live with their mother, Inderpreet, in California, US, meanwhile Mann juggles his time between Delhi and Mohali in India.
Caste
Bhagwant Mann was born into a Jatt Sikh family.
Address
Permanent Address
34, Dream Land Colony, Patiala Road,
Sangrur-148001, Punjab
Present Address
33, Duplex MP’s Flats, North Avenue,
New Delhi-110001
Career
His first album titled ‘Gobhi Diye Kacchiye Vaparne’ was released in 1992, featuring comedy songs by singer Sandeep Gogi. A parody, the album was released by Creative Music Co. Ludhiana in cassette form.
Gobhi Diye Kacchiye Vaparne
Thereafter, Mann released numerous satirical albums like Mithiya Mircha, Sadi Billi Sanu Miyaoon, Dhakka Start, and Lalloo Kare Kawaliyan.
Bhagwant Mann is known for his satirical presentation of the current scenario which focused on Indian and regional issues like politicians, policemen, business departments, and sports. At the beginning of his career, Mann released abundant comedy content in collaboration with the Punjabi comedian Jagtar Jaggi. Together, they appeared on the TV show called ‘Jugnu Kehnda Hai’ for the channel Alpha ETC Punjabi, which made them a household name. After a long comical partnership, Mann and Jaggi parted ways. Thereafter, Mann collaborated with Punjabi actor Rana Ranbir for the TV show “Jugnu Mast Mast” for Alpha ETC Punjabi. For the comedy film ‘Sawdhan Agge Bhagwant Mann’ (2003), Mann collaborated with Rana Ranbir.
Bhagwant Mann and Rana Ranbir in Sawdhan Agge Bhagwant Mann (2003)
In 2006, Mann and Jaggi reunited and extensively toured in Canada and England with their show, No Life With Wife.
Politics
People’s Party of Punjab (PPP)
After his 18-year-long career in the Punjabi entertainment industry, Bhagwant Mann ventured into politics in 2011. He joined the People’s Party of Punjab (PPP), founded by Indian politician Manpreet Singh Badal in March 2011; Manpreet Singh Badal is the nephew of former CM of Punjab Parkash Singh Badal from Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD). In 2016, PPP merged with the Indian National Congress (INC).
Aam Aadmi Party
During the 2014 Indian general elections in Punjab, held on 30 April 2014, Mann contested from the Sangrur Lok Sabha constituency of Punjab and won by won by 211,721 votes. In 2018, Bhagwant Mann quit AAP in protest against party convenor Arvind Kejriwal’s apology to Akali Dal lawmaker Bikramjit Singh Majithia in a defamation case. The party did not accept his resignation. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) reappointed Bhagwant Mann as the state president of Punjab in January 2019 to strengthen its prospects ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. During the 2019 Indian general election, he was re-elected as a member of parliament Sangrur Lok Sabha constituency of Punjab. On 18 January 2022, he was chosen as the chief ministerial candidate of AAP in the 2022 Punjab Legislative Assembly election. Reportedly, the decision was based on a public poll in which AAP claims 93% wanted Bhagwant Maan as a candidate for the Chief Minister.
Alcoholism
Bhagwant Mann has stirred numerous controversies in the past for attending formal events under the influence of alcohol. In 2015, a video featuring Bhagwant Mann attending a condolence meeting in Faridkot in which he was allegedly drunk went viral in the media. In 2019, another video of Mann delivering a speech at Lok Sabha went viral, which reportedly depicted him drunk. Following, the incident BJP had also then demanded a narco test of the MP. During a public rally in 2019, Bhagwant Mann publically took an oath in his mother’s name to give up drinking. Kejriwal, who was present at the stage, had then praised him for the decision. However, both Congress and BJP have repeatedly accused Bhagwant Mann of not keeping his promise.