Mumbai: Veteran Bollywood actress and singer Sulakshana Pandit passed away on Thursday, November 6, 2025, at the age of 71.
According to reports, the actress had been unwell for a prolonged period and breathed her last at a hospital in Mumbai. At the time of reporting, no official statement had been released by her family or representatives.
A prominent figure in Bollywood during the 1970s, Sulakshana Pandit was admired both for her acting and her melodious voice. She belonged to a family deeply rooted in music and cinema — the sister of actress Vijayta Pandit and music composer duo Jatin-Lalit, and the niece of legendary classical vocalist Pandit Jasraj.
Born on July 12, 1954, in Raigarh, Chhattisgarh, Pandit began singing at the tender age of nine. She rose to fame with the song “Saat Samandar Paar Se” alongside Lata Mangeshkar from the 1967 film Taqdeer.
In 1976, she won the Filmfare Award for Best Female Playback Singer for “Tu Hi Sagar Tu Hi Kinara” from the film Sankalp. She made her acting debut in 1975 with Uljhan and went on to star in several successful films, including Hera Pheri, Waqt Ki Deewar, Apnapan, and Khandaan.
Sulakshana was reportedly in love with actor Sanjeev Kumar, and after he turned down her proposal, she chose to remain unmarried.
Her final playback contribution came in Khamoshi: The Musical (1996), composed by her brothers Jatin-Lalit, marking the end of an illustrious career spanning both acting and singing.
