Tulsi Chakraborty was born in a small village in West Bengal, where his father was an Indian Railway employee with a transferable job. As a result, he spent a significant amount of time living with his paternal uncle, a talented Tabla player and employee of Star Theater, in Kolkata. This proximity to the theater world allowed him to witness the performances of some of the finest actors in commercial theaters, which only strengthened his desire to become an actor himself.
Tulsi Chakraborty's journey in the film industry began with his first screen appearance in the 1932 film "Punarjanmo". He quickly gained popularity following the commercial success of "Manmoyi Girls School", becoming one of the major character and comic actors of the Bengali cinema industry.
One of the most notable highlights of his career was his role in Satyajit Ray's "Paras Pathar" (The Philosopher's Stone),released in 1957. This film, described by the renowned film critic Marie Seton as a unique blend of comedy, fantasy, satire, farce, and pathos, showcased Tulsi's exceptional histrionic abilities. He played the role of Paresh Dutta, a humble bank clerk who accidentally discovers the mythical Philosopher's Stone and subsequently experiences a rollercoaster ride of fame, fortune, and downfall.
Throughout his illustrious career, Tulsi Chakraborty appeared in numerous notable films, including "Sharey Chuattor" (1953),"Paresh", "Kabi", "Ramer Sumati", "Shyamali", and many more. He was undoubtedly one of the finest character artists in Bengali cinema, with a repertoire of over 300 films and theater performances to his credit.
Despite his immense talent and dedication to his craft, Tulsi Chakraborty's personal life was marked by financial struggles. He was a shy and introverted person who never asked for a fee hike during his shooting days, which ultimately led to him living in abject poverty after his death. Fortunately, his legacy was recognized by another notable film personality, Mithun Chakraborty, who generously sent his widow Rs. 500 every month until her passing.
