Balinder Johal

Born, raised and educated in India, Johal came to Canada in 1965 with a Masters in Punjabi and a Bachelor in Teaching. She obtained an M.A. in Education from the University of British Columbia. Eventually she became a teacher for the B.C. school system and at Vancouver Community College where she taught for 24 years before taking early retirement to follow her dreams.

Theatre was always her passion in India. Johal has performed in plays in most of the big cities in Canada and also in California often with India based Harpal Tiwana’s Theatre Group. Being a community activist, Johal has also been involved in issue oriented community plays done locally and the forum play, Here and Now about gang violence.

Since 1990, Johal has worked in Hollywood and Canadian Television and movies, educational videos and on many voice-overs on and off camera in English, Punjabi and Hindi. Her Chachi ji episodes on community related issues, previously on multicultural and vision channels have been an attempt to bridge the cultural, educational, gender and generational gaps.

Working in Heaven on Earth under Deepa Mehta’s direction last year and winning the Leo Award as Best Female Performer in the short Film, The Birthday, are the best rewards she has reaped in the television and film industry. She embraces any future opportunities that should come forth with acting, especially if they are connected to Indo-Canadian or universal Issues.

Mongrel Media