Introduced by Ray in Apur Sansar, the final film of the Apu Trilogy, Soumitra Chatterjee played the title role of Apu. At that time, Soumitra Chatterjee was a radio announcer and had only played a small role in a Bengali stage production.

He played a variety of roles in Ray’s later films (a total of 15 films) and became the most sought after actor in Bengali cinema. He was associated with Ray for a period of over three decades. He is to the cinema of Ray what Toshiro Mifune is to cinema of Akira Kurosawa.

Select Filmography

• 1959 – Apur Sansar *(The World of Apu)
• 1960 – Devi *(The Goddess), Khuidhito Pashan
• 1961 – Teen Kanya *(Three Daughters) Samapti episode, Tinkonya, Swarlipi, Jhinder Bandi, Punsacha Swangbora
• 1962 – Abhijan *(The Expedition), Atal Jwaler Ahobhan, Aagun, Benarasi
• 1963 – Saat Paakey Bandha, Seshprahar, Barnali
• 1964 – Charulata *(The Lonely Wife), Kinu Gowalar Gali, Pratinidhi
• 1965 – Kapurush – O – Mahapurush *(The Coward & The Holy Man), Akash Kusum, Ektukui Basa, Bakso Badol, Eki Angey Eto Rup
• 1966 – Manihar, Kach Kata Hirey, Joradighir Chaudhiri
  Paribaar
• 1967 – Ajana Shapath, Hothat Dekha, Mahasweta, Prastar Sakhshar
• 1968 – Parisodh, Baghini
• 1969 – Tin Bhubaner Paarey, Parinita, Chena Achena
• 1970 – Aranyer Din Ratri *(Days and Nights in the Forest), Pratham Kadam Phool, Oprichito
• 1971 – Malyadaan, Aparna, Sansar
• 1972 – Stree, Jiban Saikatey
• 1973 – Asani Sanket *(Distant Thunder), Agnibhramar, Basanta Bilaap, Epaar Opaar
• 1974 – Sonar Kella *(The Fortress), Jodi Jantem
• 1975 – Nishi Mrigaya, Sansar Simantey
• 1976 – Dotta
• 1977 – Babumosai, Mantramugdha
• 1978 – Joi Baba Felunath *(The Elephant God), Pranay Pasha, Nodi Theke Sagorey
• 1979 – Debdas, Job Charnocker Bibi, Ganodebota, Naukadubi
• 1980 – Hirak Rajar Deshe *(Kingdom of Diamonds), Darpachurna, Pankhiraaj
• 1981 – Pratisodh, Nyay Anyay, Father
• 1983 – Agradani, Indira
• 1984 – Ghare-Baire *(Home and the World), Amargeeti
• 1985 – Boikunther Will
• 1986 – Koni, Atanko
• 1987 – Sukumar Ray *(Documentary)
• 1989 – Ganashatru *(Enemy of the People),
• 1990 – Shakha Prashakha *(Branches of the Tree)
• 1994 – Uttaran

* Films directed by Satyajit Ray