Veteran Bollywood actor and playback singer Sulakshana Pandit, remembered for her work in films like Uljhan and Chehre Pe Chehra, passed away on Thursday at the age of 71.
According to news agency PTI, Sulakshana suffered a cardiac arrest and was being taken to Nanavati Hospital in Mumbai when she breathed her last. Her brother and music composer Lalit Pandit confirmed the heartbreaking news, adding that her funeral will be held on Friday.
Sulakshana, born on July 12, 1954, hailed from a distinguished musical family. She was the daughter of classical vocalist Pratap Narain Pandit and the niece of legendary musician Pandit Jasraj. Her siblings include the famous composer duo Jatin-Lalit and actress-singer Vijeta Pandit.
She began her career as a playback singer in the late 1960s, lending her melodious voice to numerous Hindi films. Sulakshana won the Filmfare Award for Best Female Playback Singer in 1975 for her soulful rendition of “Tu Hi Saagar Hai, Tu Hi Kinara” from the film Sankalp.
Her musical collaborations with legends like Lata Mangeshkar, Kishore Kumar, and Mukesh were widely appreciated during the 1970s and 1980s.
Expanding her artistic horizons, Sulakshana made her acting debut with Uljhan (1975) opposite Sanjeev Kumar. She went on to star in several films alongside top actors of the era, including Rajesh Khanna, Shashi Kapoor, and Vinod Khanna. Her other notable films include Sankoch, Khandaan, and Dharam Kanta.
Despite a promising career, Sulakshana gradually retreated from the limelight. Reports suggest that her personal struggles, including her unfulfilled love for Sanjeev Kumar, took an emotional toll. She never married and later faced health and financial challenges, living a quiet life away from public attention.
News of her passing has left the film and music fraternity in mourning. Tributes have poured in on social media, with fans and colleagues remembering her as “a voice full of emotion and grace.”