Sulakshana Pandit was beautiful; she was a talented actress, and above all, she was a gifted singer with a solid classical base. She also enjoyed considerable success, appearing in films such as “Uljhan,” “Sankoch,” “Apnapan,” “Khandaan,” “Hera Pheri,” “Dharam Kanta,” and many more.
Early Life and Career
Sulakshana Pandit was born on July 12, 1954, in Raigarh, into the illustrious Pandit family. The family is originally from Pili Mandori Village in Hissar district of Haryana. Her father, Pratap Narain Pandit, was a classical vocalist, while her uncle is the legendary Pandit Jasraj. Her brothers Mandheer, Jatin, and Lalit Pandit are famous musicians, while her sisters are the late Maya Anderson, the late Sandhya Singh, and Vijayta Pandit.
Sulakshana was a child pianist and has been singing on stage and in films since the age of nine. Her debut song, “Saat samundar paar se, Pappa Jaldi Ajana,” came in Taqdeer (1967), which she sang with Lata Mangeshkar. It was followed by songs like “Dil Jo Duniya Ke Ghamo Dard Se Ghabraay (Bambai Raat Ki Bahon Mein, 1967),” “Ye Dharti Hamari Dharti Hai(Jiyo Aur Jeene Do, 1969),” “Jab Jab Apna Mel Hua (Mahua, 1969),” “Aaj Jashn-E-Bahara Hai” (Nateeja), Panchhi Re Ude Gagan Mast Mast (Rahgir), “Beqaraar Dil Tu Gaaye Ja (Door Ka Rahi, 1971),” “Jab Talak Aasman Pe Sitare Rahenge (Aangan),” “Tu Hi Saagar Tu Hi Kinara (Sankalp),” and many more. She also sang in concerts with Kishore Kumar and Mohammed Rafi.
Sulakshana Pandit – The Singin Star
Her film debut came in 1975, at the age of 21, with the suspense thriller “Uljhan (1975),” opposite Sanjeev Kumar. She also acted in Ramesh Saigal’s “Sankalp (1975),” where she sang “Tu Hi Saagar Tu Hi Kinara” under the direction of Khayyam. Sulakshana won the Filmfare Award for Best Female Playback Singer for the song. She gained critical acclaim for her portrayal of Lolita in Anil Ganguly’s “Sankoch (1976),” based on the novel ‘Parineeta’.
Her performances in films like Prakash Mehra’s “Hera Pheri (1976),” opposite Vinod Khanna, J. Omprakash’s “Apnapan (1977),” with Jeetendra and Reena Roy, “Shankar Shambhu (1976),” with Feroz Khan, Vinod Khanna, and Anil Ganguly’s “Khandaan (1979),” are still remembered fondly by cinema enthusiasts.
Some of her other notable films as an actress include Bundalbaaz, Kasam Khoon Ki, Ganga Aur Suraj, Garam Khoon, Waqt Ki Deewar, Chehre Pe Chehra, Raaz, Dharam Kanta, Dil Hi Dil Mein, Kaala Sooraj, Goraa, Madadgaar, and Do Waqt Ki Roti.
Famous songs
Parallel to her acting, Sulakshana’s singing career flourished as her melodious voice found its way into the hearts of listeners in various languages, including Hindi, Bengali, and Gujarati. In 1979, she sang two song for Basu Bhattacharya‘s Griha Pravesh. One was the duet “Boliye Sureeli Boliyan” with Bhupinder Singh and the other was a solo “Aap Agar Aap Na Hote.” These song under music director Kanu Roy are example of her musical prowess. In 1980, she released an album titled “Jazbaat,” which featured her rendition of ghazals, further showcasing her range and depth as a singer. One of his other important song was “Mana Teri Nazar Mein” in Ahista Ahista (1981), under Khayyam.
One more notable film where she sang was Satyen Bose’s “Payal Ki Jhankar.” In the film she sang semi classical “Kaun Gali Gaye Shyam,” “Sari Dal Dai Mope Rang” with Purushottam Das Jalota, and “Soor Bin Tan Nahin” with Anand Kumar, and Purushottam Das Jalota. She also sang “Dekho Kaanha Nahin Maanat Batiyaan,” “Ho Rama Pani Bharne Jaoon To,” and “Kar Singaar Aise Chalat Sundari.”
Some of her famous songs include “Maana Teri Nazar Mein Tera Pya Hum Nahin (Khandaan),” “Haay Haay Haay Maar Dala (Alibaba Marjinaa),” “Pyar Kiya Hai Karenge Saath Jiyenge (Hanste Khelte),” Jiske Liye Sabko Chhoda (Saajan Ki Saheli),” “Chal Chal Kahin Akele Mein (Salaakhen),” “Kajre Ki Baati (Kajre Ki Baati),” “Aaj Pyare Pyare Se Lagte Hain Aap (Uljhan),” “Kaisa Yeh Nasha Hai (Yeh Kaisa Nasha Hai),” “Jaana Kahan Hai Pyar Yahan Hain (Chalte Chalte),” “Mausam Mausam Lovely Mausam (Thodi si Bewafai),” “Somwar Ko Hum Mile (Apnapan),” “Saagar Kinare Bhi Do Dil Hain Pyase (Khamoshi),” and many more.
Sanjeev and Sulakshana
Sulakshan proposed marriage to Sanjeev, hoping to build a life together. However, Sanjeev, heartbroken after Hema Malini allegedly turned him down, was not interested in marriage. Sanjeev shared this rejection with Sulakshana, seeking her support. Despite her hopes that he might turn to her, he remained uninterested in marriage. Reports suggest Sulakshana cooked meals for him and supported him in every way possible. But her devotion did not sway him.
Over time, Sanjeev developed cardiac problems worsened by excessive alcohol consumption, an indulgent diet, and emotional turmoil. He had a massive heart attack and was in the hospital for a long time. After bypass surgery in the US, he returned to his work. But he passed away from another massive heart attack on November 6, 1985, at the age of 47.
The Heartbreak and Metal Breakdown
The death of Sanjeev Kumar left an already heartbroken Sulakshana devastated. She sank into deep depression. It was also the time when her career came to a standstill, as offers dwindled. The death of her mother further impacted her mental capacity. All this leads to a prolonged period of mental disturbance and ill health. “These deaths had a lasting impact on me. They took a toll on my health. I was mentally disturbed and shaken for the longest time,” she said in an interview.
Sulakshana’s younger sister Vijeyta Pandit and her husband music composer Aadesh Srivastava, brought her to their home in 2006. It greatly improved her condition, but she still does not meet people or step out in public. Her mind is not yet capable of facing the world, but there is hope. A few years ago, she said She said, “After Sanjeevji died, I went into acute depression… I watch beautiful films, listen to beautiful music, and write poetry. I am gathering the courage to face life and the world again.”
Sulakshana Pandit on IMDB
