Born in 1924 in Kolkata, Sekhar Chatterjee was associated with the Indian People`s Theatre Association (IPTA), which he joined in 1950. Later, he excelled himself in Utpal Dutt’s Shakespearian productions with the Little Theatre Group.

After his stint at Joan Littlewood`s Theatre Workshop, London, he formed his own troupe, Theatre Unit, in 1958. The group focused on adapting a series of Western plays and Chatterjee was known for his deep engagement with the aesthetics of Brecht.

Some of his memorable productions include Fariyad in 1968 and Janmabhumi in 1968, adaptations of Brecht like Pantu Laha (Herr Puntila) in 1975, Girish Karnad’s Tughlaq in 1973, his own play Judge Sahib in 1979 and his adaptation of Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew as Srimati Bhayankari in 1980 became commercially successful.

In 1983 he established Unity Theatre. His career in films developed with his acclaimed work with Satyajit Ray, Mrinal Sen, Shyam Benegal, and Richard Attenborough. He also directed the award-winning film Basundhara in Bengali in 1984.

Sekhar Chatterjee passed away in 1990.