When Sulakshana Pandit Took Sanjeev Kumar to the Temple — and the Untold Story Behind Her Unfulfilled Love
Veteran actress and singer Sulakshana Pandit passed away on November 6 in Mumbai due to a cardiac arrest. Her brother, Lalit Pandit, confirmed the sad news and stated that her funeral would take place on November 7 in Mumbai.
Sulakshana gained fame with her debut in Uljhan (1975) opposite Sanjeev Kumar, and went on to deliver memorable performances in films such as Sankoch (1976), Hera Pheri, Apnapan, Khandaan, and Waqt Ki Deewar. Over time, she gradually withdrew from the limelight, reportedly deeply affected by Sanjeev Kumar’s untimely death.
The Unfulfilled Love Story with Sanjeev Kumar
Rumours of a romantic link between Sanjeev Kumar and Sulakshana Pandit had circulated for decades, particularly after the Angoor actor reportedly proposed to Hema Malini, who declined. Author Hanif Zaveri, in An Actor’s Actor: The Authorized Biography of Sanjeev Kumar, clarified that the relationship was largely one-sided.
Zaveri revealed, “It’s true that he was involved with Nutan and then Hema Malini. After that, it was one-sided. Sulakshana wanted to marry him, but he was not interested. She even took him to a temple to put sindoor in her maang, but he refused, knowing he would not live long and did not want to spoil someone’s life.”
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The loss of Sanjeev Kumar at age 47 in 1985 left Sulakshana deeply devastated. Her grief intensified with the death of her mother shortly thereafter. In a past interview, she reflected, “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.”
Sulakshana Pandit never married, as she could not move on from losing Sanjeev Kumar. In 2006, her sister Vijayta Pandit and brother-in-law Aadesh Shrivastava took her into their home to provide care and emotional support after years of trauma.
For context, Sulakshana’s sister Vijayta Pandit is also an actress and singer, best known for her debut opposite Kumar Gaurav in the 1981 film Love Story.
