The Tragic Love Story That Shook Bollywood
In a heartbreaking revelation that has surfaced after her recent passing, veteran actress and playback singer Sulakshana Pandit's life was marked by profound personal tragedy centered around her unrequited love for legendary actor Sanjeev Kumar. Both iconic figures of Indian cinema shared not just a complicated personal history but also the same date of passing - November 6 - adding an eerie coincidence to their tragic narrative.
A Proposal Rejected and Hearts Broken
According to Sulakshana's sister Vijayta Pandit, who recently opened up about this painful chapter in her sister's life, Sulakshana had directly proposed marriage to Sanjeev Kumar. The actor, however, refused her proposal, leaving Sulakshana heartbroken and devastated. This rejection reportedly plunged the talented singer-actress into a deep depression from which she never fully recovered.
When questioned about why Sanjeev Kumar turned down her sister's marriage proposal, Vijayta revealed the painful truth: "He loved somebody else." Though she refrained from naming names directly, she acknowledged that the world knows about Sanjeev Kumar's affection for Hema Malini during that period. Historical accounts confirm that Sanjeev Kumar had indeed proposed to Hema Malini with the condition that she quit films after marriage, but the Dream Girl of Bollywood had refused his proposal.
Close Bonds and Mixed Signals
Contrary to assumptions that Sulakshana's affection was entirely one-sided, Vijayta painted a picture of a much more complex relationship. Sanjeev Kumar was a frequent visitor to the Pandit household, where their mother would specially prepare non-vegetarian food for him despite the family being vegetarian.
"He frequently visited our house," Vijayta recalled. "He also liked Sulakshana a lot and he would sit for hours with Sulakshana after his heart was broken." When asked if his heartbreak stemmed from Hema Malini's rejection, Vijayta confirmed, "Yes."
The actor never gave Sulakshana a direct answer to her marriage proposal, instead offering vague responses like "dekhenge, karenge, sochenge" (we'll see, we'll do, we'll think). This ambiguity left Sulakshana in emotional limbo, never receiving a clear rejection nor an acceptance.
Parallel Tragedies and Final Years
The tragedy deepened when Sanjeev Kumar passed away on November 6, 1985, sending Sulakshana into further despair. Vijayta refuted claims that her sister "went mad" after Sanjeev's death, but acknowledged she received "a big jolt" from which she never truly recovered.
Sulakshana's later years were marked by physical suffering as well. She broke her hip bone after a fall in the bathroom, leaving her impaired and bedridden for 15 years before her eventual passing.
In what Vijayta describes as "the biggest miracle I've seen in my life," Sulakshana Pandit passed away on November 6, 2023 - exactly 38 years after Sanjeev Kumar's death. "She didn't leave for so many years, but died on the same date as Sanjeev Kumar," Vijayta marveled. "Who loves like this in this world now?"
The story of Sulakshana Pandit and Sanjeev Kumar remains one of Bollywood's most poignant tales of unrequited love, marked by professional success but personal heartbreak that transcended even death itself.
