The early 2000s feel like a glitchy time machine we never had—quintessentially for every ‘modhyo-bitto Bangali poribar’ that still romanticises those evenings shaped by television’s tender glow. Shows back then dripped familiar comforts (talking about the time when we had ‘Alpha Bangla’ (now Zee Bangla)—with new faces emerging on the screen. Between Janmabhumi, Ek Akasher Niche and countless others, some faces faded, some remained. Yet, a presence grew in our hearts with grace—Abir Chatterjee—tracing with his finesse through Banhishikha, Khunje Berai Kachher Manush and many more.
His reign began with television—connecting to Cross Connection in 2009, he marked his debut on the big screen. Graph went uphill for him in 2010 with Byomkesh Bakshi. A name that can force any Bangali to have ‘ek goros bhat-beshi.’ Abir Chatterjee carried him with precision and conviction, etching his name with his craft. He still owns it with every instalment of the franchise.
But his range did not just cater to being a detective; it became diverse with films like Baishe Shrabon (2011), where he plays Surjo, a commoner with an ordinary life, whose life gets intertwined with a series of murders. In 2012, Bojhena Shey Bojhena, in which he plays Avik, develops a connection with a small-town girl, following a tragic nemesis. In 2013, Meghe Dhaka Tara, Kanamachi, and Aborto—followed by Jaatishawr in 2014 with another series of releases. Fast-forwarding it to 2019, Shahjahan Regency, as Samiran Bose, a character based on Sata Bose from the classic novel Chowringhee.
In recent times, Abir gained love as the beloved Sona da with Karnasubarner Guptodhon (2022)—it became very popular among the young. The story navigates as follows: A joyful holiday for three friends quickly transforms into an adventurous hunt for King Shashanka’s hidden treasure after they stumble upon an old riddle. Their mission soon demands courage as they face a host of formidable obstacles. Later, Raktabeej in 2023 proved successful.
2025! Raktabeej 2—a commercial banger.
…then came the works that watered the forgotten alleys of his tender craft—Putulnacher Itikatha and Deep Fridge. In the former, Abir Chatterjee as Dr Shashi walks through the dense fog of psychological realism, scarred by fate, tradition, and societal hypocrisy. As Swarnava in Deep Fridge, he becomes a divorced man learning to navigate through the uneven terrains of post-marital solitude.
When you look at his work, you don’t see an armour defined by flash or sudden leaps; it’s slow but steady, with intentional choices of characters with depth.
