Actor-singer Sulakshana Pandit, known for her films in the 1970s and ‘80s, died on Thursday at the age of 71. Her brother, music director Jatin Pandit — one half of the composer duo Jatin-Lalit — remembers her as a guiding force in his life: “Whatever she had, she gave to all of us, brothers and sisters... People like her are rare.”

“More than a sister, she was like a mother,” Jatin shares, adding, “We weren’t wealthy, just a typical middle class family. She helped me get an education and took care of the family.”

Jatin also reflects on Sulakshana’s journey in both music and films, saying, “Our father had trained her intensively. She was the first breadwinner in our family, and the entire burden fell on her. She got into singing initially, but there were legendary singers ahead of her who were better, so she couldn’t surpass them. Then she turned to acting, and I’m happy she did so many good movies with big stars and sang memorable songs.