Veteran Bollywood singer and actress Sulakshana Pandit passed away on Thursday. Evening at 7 PM in Mumbai, at the age of 71. Her demise was attributed to a heart attack, following a prolonged period of illness. She breathed her last at Nanavati Hospital in Mumbai. Preparations for her final rites commenced on Friday at the Pawan Hans Crematorium in Vile Parle, Mumbai, where several Bollywood personalities gathered to pay their last respects to the departed soul.
Family Confirms Demise and Early Life
Speaking to news agency PTI, Sulakshana Pandit's brother, Lalit Pandit, confirmed the unfortunate news, stating that she had been experiencing difficulty breathing and her health was deteriorating. The family was rushing her to Nanavati Hospital, but she passed away before reaching the medical facility. This news has sent a wave of sorrow across the Bollywood and music industries, marking the end of an era for a versatile artist who captivated audiences with both her voice and acting prowess, while born on July 12, 1954, Sulakshana Pandit hailed from a family deeply rooted in music. Her uncle was the legendary classical vocalist Pandit Jasraj, a towering figure in Indian classical music. She was one of six siblings, having three brothers and three sisters. Her brothers, Jatin and Lalit, are renowned music directors in Bollywood, while her. Sister, Vijayta Pandit, also made her mark as an actress and playback singer.
A Distinguished Musical Journey
Sulakshana Pandit embarked on her musical journey at the tender age of 9, a testament to her prodigious talent. Her voice possessed a unique blend of sweetness and depth that quickly earned her recognition in the music world. In 1967, she collaborated with the iconic Lata Mangeshkar for the memorable song 'Saat Samundar Paar Se' from the film 'Taqdeer,' marking one of her early successes. Her exceptional vocal abilities were acknowledged with a Filmfare Award in 1975 for the song 'Tu Hi Sagar Hai Tu Hi Kinara' from the film 'Sankalp,' a significant milestone in her career. She lent her voice alongside legendary singers such as Kishore Kumar, Mohammed Rafi, Yesudas, and Udit Narayan, showcasing her versatility across various genres. In 1980, her album 'Jazbaat' (HMV) was released, where she mesmerized listeners with her soulful ghazals. Her international recognition grew when she performed at the 'Festival of Indian Music' at the Royal Albert Hall in London in 1986. Her voice was last heard in the 1996 film 'Khamoshi: The Musical,' for the song 'Sagar Kinare Bhi Do Dil,' composed by her brothers Jatin-Lalit.
A Flourishing Acting Career
Memorable Roles Alongside Leading Actors
Beyond her captivating voice, Sulakshana Pandit also carved out an impressive acting career. During the 1970s and early 1980s, she was one of Bollywood's prominent actresses, known for her expressive performances. She had the opportunity to work with almost all the top actors of that era. Her cinematic journey began in 1975 with the film 'Uljhan,' where she demonstrated her acting capabilities. Subsequently, she portrayed the character of Lalita in Anil Ganguly's film 'Sankoch' (1976), which was based on the acclaimed novel 'Parineeta. ' In this role, she deeply moved audiences with her sensitivity and profound portrayal.
Throughout her career, Sulakshana Pandit shared screen space with many stalwarts of Indian cinema. She starred alongside Jeetendra in films like 'Khanjar,' 'Uljhan,' and 'Bajrang Bali' (1976), while her on-screen chemistry with Sanjeev Kumar was also notable in 'Uljhan' and 'Bajrang Bali. ' With Rajesh Khanna, she appeared in films such as 'Bhola Bhala' and 'Bandhan Kachche Dhagon Ka,' while her collaborations with Vinod Khanna included 'Hera Pheri' and 'Aarop. ' She also worked with Shashi Kapoor in 'Chambal Ki Kasam' and with Shatrughan Sinha in 'Ameeri Garibi. ' In addition to these, Sulakshana delivered memorable performances in films like 'Aapnapan,' 'Khandaan,' 'Chehre Pe Chehra,' 'Dharm Kanta,' and 'Waqt Ki Deewar,' further solidifying her reputation as a versatile and talented actress.
Unrequited Love for Sanjeev Kumar and a Life of Solitude
A poignant aspect of Sulakshana Pandit's life was her unrequited love, which profoundly impacted her personal journey. She harbored deep affection for actor Sanjeev Kumar. During the filming of 'Uljhan' in 1975, their bond grew, and she proposed marriage to him, while however, Sanjeev Kumar declined her proposal, as he was deeply in love with Hema Malini, a love that was unfortunately one-sided. Hema Malini had also rejected Sanjeev Kumar's proposal, leaving him heartbroken, a pain from which he never fully recovered. Following Sanjeev Kumar's rejection, Sulakshana Pandit was devastated. She made the decision to remain unmarried for life and spent her days in solitude. After Sanjeev Kumar's untimely death, Sulakshana reportedly became mentally unstable and lived with her sister, Vijayta Pandit, for many years, who provided her support during this difficult period, while in a striking coincidence, Sanjeev Kumar also passed away on November 6, in 1985, and exactly 40 years later, on the very same date, Sulakshana Pandit breathed her last. This remarkable synchronicity adds a deeply moving layer to their unfulfilled love story.
