Meet Sulakshana Pandit: The forgotten star whose career faded with her first love’s tragic end

Sulakshana Pandit, the talented singer and actress of India’s golden era, passed away on November 6, 2025, at 71, due to a cardiac arrest at Mumbai’s Nanavati Hospital. A luminary from a musical dynasty—sister of composers Jatin-Lalit and niece of Pandit Jasraj—her soulful voice and elegant performances left an indelible mark on 1970s cinema. Her legacy lives on through classics like Tu Hi Sagar Tu Hi Kinara.

Sulakshana‘s background

Coming from a musical family in Hisar, Haryana, Sulakshana Pandit's uncle was Pandit Jasraj. She began her musical journey at nine, collaborating with her brother Mandheer. Her siblings include Jatin Pandit, Lalit Pandit, and the actress Vijayata Pandit.

Sulakshana Pandit’s brother, music composer Lalit Pandit, confirmed her passing to Mid-Day: She passed away today around 8.00 pm. She suffered cardiac arrest. Her funeral will be tomorrow (November 7) at 12.00 noon.

Sulakshana‘s musical career

Sulakshana Pandit’s musical journey began at age 9, debuting as a playback singer in 1967 with the duet 'Saat Samandar Paar Se’ (alongside Lata Mangeshkar in Taqdeer) Her soulful voice soon captivated audiences, particularly with the timeless, 'Tu Hi Sagar Hai Tu Hi Kinara’ from Sankalp (1975), a song that defined her legacy.

Sulakshana’s acting career

Sulakshana, celebrated for her singing, also made a significant impact as an actress. Her acting debut in 1975, alongside Sanjeev Kumar in 'Uljhan', marked the beginning of a popular onscreen pairing, with rumors of a real-life romance. She starred in several memorable films, including 'Bundal Baaz' with Rajesh Khanna, 'Hera Pheri' with Vinod Khanna, and 'Waqt Ki Deewar', featuring Jeetendra and Sanjeev. Other notable films include 'Sankoch', 'Khandaan', and others. She also shared screen space with Shashi Kapoor in films like 'Salaakhen', 'Phaansi', and 'Amar Shakti'.

Sulakshana and Sanjeev’s relationship

In 1975, Sulakshana Pandit and Sanjeev Kumar co-starred in 'Uljhan', where their on-screen chemistry blossomed into a real-life romance for Sulakshana. Despite her feelings, Sanjeev Kumar was devoted to Hema Malini, whom he proposed to, but was rejected. Consequently, when Sulakshana proposed to Kumar, he turned her down. This heartbreak led Sulakshana to remain unmarried.

Following Sanjeev Kumar's rejection, Sulakshana struggled with depression. His death in 1985 left her devastated, leading to her withdrawal from the film industry. Tragically, Sulakshana's passing occurred on the same date as Sanjeev Kumar's, November 6, 1985, marking a poignant end to her story.