Early life and education
Chakrabarty was born on 8 September 1956 to Jagadish Chandra Chakrabarty and Monica Chakrabarty. He has a sister Papiya Sen, who is also an actress. His parents used to call him "Benu" in his childhood and subsequently he gets referred to as Benu Da by some of his colleagues in the film industry.
In 1975, he completed his schooling from the Andrew's High School in Kolkata. He earned a degree in B.Sc. from the Hansraj College in New Delhi, which is affiliated to the University of Delhi. He cleared his AMI examination from Delhi in 1978. Apart from acting, he is a nature enthusiast and wildlife photographer.
Career
Sabyasachi's first mainstream work was a lead role in the 1986 TV series Tero Parbon for Kolkata Doordarshan channel. Tero Parbon was critically acclaimed with a memorable soundtrack in which his role as the character Gora was well-received and made him fairly popular in his early days of acting.
He made his movie debut in Tapan Sinha’s Antardhan in 1992. He continued to work in several television series and shows (mostly in Bengali). He has directed many TV shows and some shows for children. He played Kakababu in the Kakababu original film series. He acted in Kakababu Here Gelen? (1995) and Ek Tukro Chand (2001) and the mini TV series Khali Jahajer Rahasya (1999) as Kakababu. His has played Feluda in multiple films, television series and telefilms. His roles in Antardhan, Sweth Pathorer Thala, Mahulbanir Sereng, Parineeta (Hindi), Nishijapon and Mira Nair's The Namesake amongst others have earned him wide recognition. He has worked in a number of Hindi movies and TV shows as well.
Feluda portrayal
Chakrabarty has portrayed Feluda on both small and big screens. He has said in various interviews that Feluda is one of his idols and favourite heroes from his young age. In the late 1980's he met the author of Feluda series Satyajit Ray and expressed an interest in portraying Feluda. But Satyajit Ray said that he will not make another Feluda movie because Santosh Dutta, the actor who played the role of Jatayu, died in 1988. Ray told him to meet his son Sandip Ray, who was a new film director at that time. He met Sandip Ray, but Ray had no plan of making any Feluda film at that time. So, Chakraborty continued working in theatre and television.
In 1994, Sandip Ray called Chakrabarty at his home and offered him the role of Feluda in the new Feluda film series directed by Sandip Ray. The series consisted of ten telefilms and five theatrical films in Bengali based on Feluda's character in the novels. Chakrabarty's first Feluda portrayal was in Baksho Rahashya (1996). It was a telefilm and was a part of the Feluda 30 telefilm series, which included five telefilms based on five different Feluda novels. The series continued from 1996 to 1997. In 1999, four Feluda telefilms were released as a part of the telefilm series Satyajiter Gappo. In 2000, he portrayed Feluda in the telefilm Dr. Munshir Diary. It marked the last Feluda telefilm since 2000.
In 2003, Chakrabarty portrayed Feluda in the Sandip Ray directorial Bombaiyer Bombete. It marked the first theatrical film of the new Feluda film series and the third theatrical adaptation of Feluda since Joi Baba Felunath (1979). The remaining four theatrical films of the new Feluda film series were released subsequently — Kailashey Kelenkari (2007), Tintorettor Jishu (2008), Gorosthaney Sabdhan (2010) and Royal Bengal Rohosso (2011). Tintorettor Jishu was the first Feluda film that was shot abroad. An extension of the series, a sixth theatrical Feluda film — Double Feluda directed by Sandip Ray was released in 2016. It also served as a tribute on 50 years of Feluda.
Theatre
Chakraborty became associated with theatre in the 1970s and joined the theatre group Charbak in the 1980s. In the 1980s, he appeared in the Charbak productions Poddo Goddo Probondho written and directed by Jochhon Dastidar and Asol Jinis written by Jagadish Chakraborty and directed by Jochhon Dastidar. In the 1990s, he appeared in a number of Charbak productions written by Chandra Dastidar and directed by Jochhon Dastidar — Soti, Pratyasha, Banjara, Mukhomukhi and Aloy Fera.
In 2001, he appeared in Thikana, written and directed by Chandra Dastidar. In 2002, he appeared in Kande Keno Behula Sondori, written and directed by Kheyali Dastidar. In 2005, he played the lead role in Cholo Potol Tuli. It has been adapted into a film of the same name - Cholo Potol Tuli (2020). In 2012, he appeared in Charbak's production Doodh Kheyechhe Meow directed by Arindam Ganguly. In 2015, he appeared in Chitey Gur, written and directed by Arindam Ganguly. In 2025, he directed and played the lead role in the audio drama Asol Jinish. He has also worked in other Charbak productions including Apsara Theare-er Mamla, Ekhon Tokhon, Shironaam and Bheeti O Shubhechchha.
Literary works
Chakraborty has written several books in Bengali, including works of memoir, travel writing and personal recollection. His published works include Feludar Sange Panch Dashak, Africay Sabyasachi, Camerar Samne Camerar Pichone and Dana.
Feludar Sange Panch Dashak was published by Bichitrapatra Granthan Bibhag and recounts Chakraborty's association with the character Feluda and his experiences portraying the character. Jangal O Banyaprāner Katha, published by Palak Publishers on 29 January 2026, focuses on forests and wildlife.
Africay Sabyasachi is a travel book based on Chakraborty's experiences in Africa, while Camerar Samne Camerar Pichone contains recollections of his acting career, family and travels. Chakraborty co-edited Baghe Banduke with Sandip Ray. Chakraborty also served as an adviser alongside Sandip Ray, for the first volume of Boner Khabar, an annual collection focused on forests, wildlife and adventure.
