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Veteran singer and actress Sulakshana Pandit passed away in Mumbai at the age of 71. Known for her melodious voice and graceful screen presence, she was among the rare female artists in Hindi cinema who excelled both as a playback singer and an actor.
Despite her talent, Sulakshana’s career and life were filled with sorrow — from losing her love and family members to withdrawing from the public eye.
Who Was Sulakshana Pandit?
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Sulakshana belonged to a highly respected musical family. Her father, Pandit Pratap Narain Pandit, was a classical vocalist, and her uncle was the legendary Pandit Jasraj.
She began singing at the age of nine, performing with greats like Mohammed Rafi and Kishore Kumar during stage shows. Her natural singing talent quickly gained attention, marking the start of a bright journey in music.
At a very young age, she also got the chance to sing with her idol, Lata Mangeshkar. Her playback debut was the duet “Saat Samundar Paar Ke” in the 1967 film Taqdeer, sung alongside Lata Ji. Some of her other memorable songs include “Jaana Kahan Hai” (Chalte Chalte), “Somwar Ko Hum Mile” (Apnapan), and “Chal Chal Kahin Akele Mein” (Salaakhen).
Her Musical and Film Journey
Sulakshana’s voice carried warmth, emotion, and grace — making her one of the most loved singers of the 1970s. Her song “Tu Hi Sagar Hai Tu Hi Kinara” from the film Sankalp (1975) is still remembered as one of her most soulful performances.
Alongside singing, she also made a mark as an actress. Sulakshana made her acting debut opposite Sanjeev Kumar in Uljhan (1975). Their on-screen chemistry was appreciated, and she soon appeared in popular films like Bundal Baaz (with Rajesh Khanna), Hera Pheri (with Vinod Khanna), Waqt Ki Deewar, Sankoch, and Khandaan. She also shared the screen with Shashi Kapoor in films such as Salaakhen, Phaansi, and Amar Shakti.
The Love That Broke Her
It was widely known that Sulakshana fell deeply in love with Sanjeev Kumar, her Uljhan co-star. Unfortunately, he did not feel the same way and rejected her marriage proposal.
His sudden death in 1985 left her devastated. Around the same time, she also lost her mother.
These back-to-back losses had a deep impact on her mental health. In one of her interviews, she admitted, “These deaths had a lasting effect on me. They shook me completely and affected my health for years.”
After these tragedies, Sulakshana slowly stepped away from films and public life.
A Family of Talent and Tragedy
Sulakshana came from a family of seven siblings, including her famous brothers Jatin and Lalit Pandit — the well-known music composer duo — and sisters Maya, Sandhya, and Vijayta Pandit.
In 2012, her sister Sandhya Pandit was tragically murdered. However, Sulakshana was never told about it. Her sister Vijayta later revealed in a 2024 interview that she had hidden the news to protect Sulakshana from more heartbreak.
“I keep telling her that Sandhya lives in Indore and often calls me,” Vijayta said, explaining that the truth would have been too painful for Sulakshana to bear.
Her Final Years
In her later years, Sulakshana lived quietly with her sister Vijayta Pandit and late brother-in-law Aadesh Shrivastava. Despite her absence from the limelight, her songs and films continued to remind people of her immense talent.
Remembering Sulakshana Pandit
Sulakshana Pandit’s life was a mix of melody, fame, and heartbreak. She brought warmth and purity to her music and films, leaving behind a legacy that continues to touch hearts.
Even though her journey ended in silence, her soulful voice and gentle spirit will always be remembered as part of Hindi cinema’s golden era.
