Balinder Johal
Balinder Johal is an Indo-Canadian actress and cultural consultant renowned for her work in film, television, and theatre. Born and raised in Punjab, India, Johal pursued higher education in India before moving to Canada in 1965. She earned a Master of Education degree from the University of British Columbia in 1969 . Johal's acting career began in 1992, and she has since appeared in numerous Canadian and Hollywood productions. She is particularly recognized for her roles in Deepa Mehta's films, including Heaven on Earth (2008) and Beeba Boys (2015), both of which earned her critical acclaim and award nominations . Her television credits include appearances in The Chris Isaak Show, Da Vinci’s Inquest, Psych, Smallville, Sanctuary, and Supergirl . In addition to her acting career, Johal has made significant contributions as a cultural consultant and dialect coach. She has worked on several productions, including Murder Unveiled and the series Sanctuary, providing cultural insights and language coaching to ensure authenticity in portrayals of South Asian characters . Fluent in English, Punjabi, Hindi, and Urdu, Johal has also been involved in community outreach through her Chaachiji episodes, which addressed cultural and generational issues within South Asian communities in Canada .
