Sulakshana Pandit Dies On Sanjeev Kumar's Death Anniversary, The Man Who Once Broke Her Heart

Veteran singer and actor, Sulakshana Pandit, known for her soulful voice and memorable performances in the 1970s and 1980s, passed away on November 6, 2025, at the age of 71. The news of her demise was confirmed by family sources, who said she breathed her last at Mumbai’s Nanavati Hospital following age-related complications. This date also marked the death anniversary of Sanjeev Kumar, the man she loved but never married.

Sulakshana Pandit’s emotional link with Sanjeev Kumar

In a poignant coincidence that has moved fans and film historians alike, Pandit passed away on the same day as actor Sanjeev Kumar’s death anniversary. The two shared a deep emotional bond, and reports over the years suggested that she had once hoped to marry him. She made her Bollywood debut in 1975 with Uljhan, opposite Sanjeev Kumar.

It was during the making of that film that she reportedly fell deeply in love with him. However, fate had its own plans. At the time, Sanjeev Kumar was nursing his own heartbreak. He was in love with Hema Malini, who did not reciprocate his feelings. By the time Sulakshana gathered the courage to confess her love, he declined marriage, and Sulakshana chose to remain unmarried for the rest of her life.

Sanjeev Kumar’s death left Sulakshana Pandit’s life shaken

Sanjeev Kumar passed away on November 6, 1985, at the young age of 47, following a heart attack. His untimely death left Sulakshana deeply devastated, marking a turning point in her life. The loss shattered her emotionally, impacting both her personal and professional worlds. She gradually withdrew from films, her singing career slowed, and over time, she retreated from the public eye altogether.

Friends and colleagues often described her as someone who never truly recovered from that heartbreak. According to the author of Sanjeev Kumar’s biography, Sulakshana once reportedly took Sanjeev to a temple with the intention of marrying him, imploring him, “meri maang mein sindoor bhardo.”

Sulakshana Pandit’s celebrated career in music and cinema

Born on July 12, 1954, in Raigarh, Sulakshana Pandit belonged to the illustrious Pandit family of musicians. She was the sister of the renowned music composers, Jatin-Lalit, and the niece of the celebrated classical vocalist, Pandit Jasraj. Trained in classical music from a young age, Sulakshana was destined for a life steeped in melody and performance.

Her debut as a playback singer in the early 1970s quickly established her as one of Bollywood’s most promising voices. She sang memorable duets with legends such as Kishore Kumar, Mohammed Rafi, and Mukesh. Her hit numbers included Tu Hi Sagar Hai Tu Hi Kinara from Sankalp, Uljhan Hai Bhari from Uljhan, and Bechara Dil Kya Kare from Khubsoorat.

In 1976, Sulakshana won the Filmfare Award for Best Female Playback Singer for Tu Hi Sagar Hai Tu Hi Kinara. This recognition cemented her place among the top female playback artists of her era. Over the years, she went on to star in films such as Apnapan, Khandaan, Chehre Pe Chehra, Hera Pheri, and Sankalp. Her soft-spoken charm and screen presence earned her recognition, even as she continued to lend her voice to other actresses in parallel.

We offer condolences to Sulakshana Pandit’s family. 

Also Read: Sulakshana Pandit's Brother, Lalit Pandit Shares Details About The Funeral Of Late Singer-Actor

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