Veteran Bollywood actor and playback singer Sulakshana Pandit, who shared the screen with some of Hindi cinema’s biggest stars, including Rajesh Khanna, Jeetendra, Vinod Khanna and Shashi Kapoor, passed away in Mumbai on Thursday, November 6, following a cardiac arrest. She was 71.
“She passed away due to cardiac arrest around 7pm. She had complained of breathlessness and seemed a bit unwell. We were taking her to Nanavati Hospital, but she died before we could reach,” said her brother, acclaimed composer Lalit Pandit.
Born on July 12, 1954, in Raigarh, now in the central Indian state of Chhattisgarh, Sulakshana hailed from a family deeply rooted in music. She was the niece of legendary classical vocalist Pandit Jasraj and the sister of the renowned composer duo Jatin-Lalit.
Sulakshana began her musical journey at the age of nine and made her playback debut in 1967. She rose to prominence with her soulful rendition of “Tu Hi Sagar Hai Tu Hi Kinara” from the film Sankalp (1975), which earned her the Filmfare Award for Best Female Playback Singer. She also lent her voice to memorable songs including “Pardesiya Tere Desh Mein”, “Bekrar Dil Tut Gaya”, “Baandhi Re Kahe Preet” and “Somvaar Ko Hum Mile”, and collaborated with Lata Mangeshkar on the duet “Saat Samandar Paar Se”.
Alongside her singing career, Sulakshana also carved a niche as an actor. She made her acting debut with Uljhan (1975) opposite Sanjeev Kumar and went on to appear in notable films including Sankoch, Hera Pheri, Apnapan, Khandaan, Dharam Kanta and Waqt Ki Deewar.
Sulakshana’s personal life often attracted attention due to her affection for Sanjeev Kumar, with whom she was reportedly in love. After he declined her proposal and later passed away in 1985, she never married and gradually withdrew from the film industry.
Her passing marks the end of an era in Bollywood, where her dual legacy as both a gifted singer and accomplished actor continues to resonate with fans across generations.