He started his film career with
Mrinal Sen's
Akash Kusum in 1965. He was appreciated for his restrained portrayal of the honest friend who would fail to prevent his go-getting friend (played by
Soumitra Chatterjee) from the path of falsehood which would lead to utter humiliation. He worked with
Satyajit Ray in
Chiriyakhana (1967) where he first shared the screen with
Uttam Kumar; he then worked with the versatile
Soumitra in
Aranyer Din Ratri (1969) that brought national and international fame. He is mostly remembered for his portrayal of Sankar in
Chowringhee in 1968 where alongside the matinee idol Uttam Kumar, he carved his niche as the straight and compassionate apprentice (the author's character) of a five-star hotel on the brink of changing ownership. He then starred as the leading actor in
Hansa Mithun (1968),
Panchasar (1968),
Arogya Niketon (1969),
Nayikar Bhumikay,
Anindita, along with playing second lead in
Chaddabeshi (1972
), and
Ekhoni. He also played the protagonist in
Bhanu Goenda Jahar Assistant. Some of his other noteworthy movies include
Pratham Kadam Phool,
Kuheli,
Kaach Kata Hire,
Aandhar Periye,
Bigolito Karuna Jahnabi Yamuna,
Jibon Rahasya,
Bahurupi,
Amrito Kumbher Sandhane,
Ganasatru,
Lal Darwajaa. By the time he acted with the legendary
Uttam Kumar in
Chowringhee and
Chaddabeshi, he was already a heartthrob with his tall, dark, handsome, and intelligent looks. He acted in the sequel of
Aranyer Din Ratri, directed by
Gautam Ghose,
Abar Aranye, in 2003. Chatterjee also was a stage actor and the play "Bilkish Begum" staged during the 1980s was a hit. He also played a role in the play "Amar Kantak" which also ran many nights. He acted in a number of tele-films as well; including as Dr. Munshi in "Dr. Munshi's diary" based on a short story by Satyajit Ray. He was a singer as well and cut a disc on composition of Hemanta Mukhopadhyay. == Death ==