Sulakshana Pandit passes away at 71; Legendary actress-singer breathes her last on Sanjeev Kumar’s 40th death anniversary

Veteran playback singer and actress Sulakshana Pandit passed away on Thursday evening, November 6, at the age of 71. She reportedly suffered a cardiac arrest and breathed her last around 8 p.m. at Nanavati Hospital in Mumbai. Her brother, music composer Lalit Pandit, confirmed the news, adding that her funeral will take place on Friday, November 7, at noon.

Related Story: Sanjeev Kumar's 40th Death Anniversary: THIS actress-singer was madly in love with Hari Bhai, but he never loved her back!

Sulakshana Bids Adieu On Sanjeev Kumar's Death Anniversary!

In a heartbreaking coincidence, Sulakshana’s demise came exactly 40 years after the death of actor Sanjeev Kumar - the man she deeply loved but could never marry. The poignant alignment of their death anniversaries has left fans and the film fraternity emotional, remembering a love story that remained incomplete yet eternal.

A Glorious Career in Cinema and Music

Born on 12 July 1954, Sulakshana Pandit belonged to the illustrious Mewati Gharana, a family renowned for its musical legacy. Her siblings - including Jatin and Lalit Pandit of the Jatin-Lalit composer duo - carried the family’s musical torch forward, but Sulakshana’s talent stood out early.

She began her playback career in the 1960s and went on to lend her melodious voice to songs such as “Tu Hi Sagar Hai Tu Hi Kinara” (Sankoch, 1976), “Bandhi Re Kahe Preet”, and “Bechara Dil Kya Kare” (Khushboo, 1975). Her collaborations with legends like Kishore Kumar, Mohammed Rafi, and Lata Mangeshkar remain cherished by connoisseurs of classic Hindi music. 

As an actress, Sulakshana made her mark in the 1970s with films such as Uljhan, Apnapan, Sankoch, Khandaan, Waqt Ki Deewar, and Chehre Pe Chehra. Her performances were remembered for their warmth and quiet grace, embodying the charm of Hindi cinema’s golden years.

A Love Story Written in Melancholy

Off-screen, Sulakshana Pandit’s life was marked by her deep affection for actor Sanjeev Kumar. The two shared a close bond, and she reportedly proposed marriage to him during their time together on Uljhan (1975). However, Sanjeev Kumar declined, and though they remained friends, his untimely death in 1985 shattered her.

In interviews years later, she admitted that she never recovered from that heartbreak and chose to remain unmarried. Her family had spoken of her long battle with depression and solitude - yet her love for 'Hari Bhai' endured quietly till her final breath.

Must Read: Sanjeev Kumar and Hema Malini’s half-written love story: The real reason they broke up, it wasn’t Dharmendra

The End of an Era

Sulakshana Pandit’s passing marks the end of a remarkable chapter in Indian cinema and music. Her voice carried tenderness, her screen presence radiated dignity, and her personal story reflected profound emotion. That she left this world on Sanjeev Kumar’s 40th death anniversary feels almost poetic - as though destiny finally united two souls separated by time and fate.