Veteran singer-actor Sulakshana Pandit dies at 71

Veteran playback singer and actor Sulakshana Pandit passed away in Mumbai on 6 November, aged 71, after a cardiac arrest following prolonged illness. She breathed her last at Nanavati Hospital. Brother and composer Lalit Pandit confirmed that her funeral will be held on 7 November at 12 noon, marking the end of a storied career that straddled music and cinema.

A luminous voice of Hindi cinema

Sulakshana Pandit’s voice defined a generation of romantic ballads and devotional medleys. She rose to national fame with Tu Hi Sagar Hai Tu Hi Kinara (Sankalp, 1975), earning the Filmfare Award for Best Female Playback Singer. Earlier work included the duet Saat Samandar Paar Se (Taqdeer, 1967), which showcased her tonal control and emotive phrasing. Her playback repertoire balanced classical nuance with mainstream appeal.

From musical legacy to mainstream acclaim

Born on 12 July 1954 in Raigarh, Chhattisgarh, she belonged to a renowned musical family—niece of classical legend Pandit Jasraj and sister to composer duo Jatin–Lalit. Trained from childhood, she began performing at nine and entered films as a teenage singer in the late 1960s. By the mid-1970s, her distinct timbre and diction made her a preferred voice for top composers and leading actors.

A screen presence in the 1970s–80s

Alongside playback, Pandit transitioned to acting with Uljhan (1975) opposite Sanjeev Kumar, followed by Sankoch (1976), Hera Pheri, Apnapan, Khandaan, and Waqt Ki Deewar. She shared screenspace with Rajesh Khanna, Jeetendra, Vinod Khanna, Shashi Kapoor, and Shatrughan Sinha, earning praise for poise and emotional range. Her filmography reflected the era’s shift from musical dramas to family and action narratives.

Exam Oriented Facts

• Died on 6 November 2025 in Mumbai; funeral on 7 November at noon.
• Filmfare Best Female Playback Singer for Sankalp (1975).
• Member of the Pandit–Jatin–Lalit musical family; niece of Pandit Jasraj.
• Acting debut in Uljhan (1975); notable roles through the late 1970s–80s.

Personal milestones and final rites

Pandit’s personal life often drew attention, notably her affection for co-star Sanjeev Kumar. She remained unmarried and gradually withdrew from films after his death in 1985—poignantly, on the same date, 6 November. The family has announced last rites for 7 November in Mumbai, where colleagues and admirers are expected to pay tribute to an artist who bridged classical sensibility and popular cinema with grace.