Chhabi Biswas will always be remembered for his numerous roles as the archetypal refined patriarch in Satyajit Ray`s Jalsaghar. In a way it mirrored his real life too as he was himself the scion of a rich and cultured North Kolkata family. His father Bhupatinath Biswas was well known for his benevolent works.

It was during college days that Chhabi Biswas got to know Sisir Kumar Bhaduri, the legendary star of Bengali theatre. The young actor was highly impressed by Sisir Kumar`s acting skills and he got deeply involved with several theatre clubs. His powerful performance as Sri Gouranga in the play Nader Nimai made Chhabi Biswas popular amongst the theatre lovers. He then took a break and busied himself with a job. It was however impossible for Chhabi Biswas to stay away from theatre for long. He rejoined the theatre circuit and made his debut as a professional actor in a social-melodrama Samaj. Even after establishing himself as the film actor he continued to be a part of theatre. He performed in hit plays like Shoroshi (1940), Sita (1940), Kedar Roy (1941), Shahjehan (1941) and others.

In 1936, Chhabi Biswas made his debut in the Bengali films with Annapurnar Mandir. The film was directed by Tinkari Chakraborty and Chhabi Biswas enacted the role of Bishu, the husband of the heroine. The pattern of acting in plays differs from that of the film medium. However the prolific actor quickly picked up the difference and went onto become one of the most successful and revered Bengali actors of all times. Chhabi Biswas appeared as the 90-year-old ascetic in Debaki Bose`s film Nartaki (1940). He was more than impressive in that flick. However with the release of Nartaki his chances to perform as the lead actor reduced. After this film the offers that he got were primarily for a character actor. Soon Chhabi Biswas became the final choice for the patriarchs and suave nobles. He played these roles perfect to the hilt by using his impeccable English and developed a completely different pattern of dialogue delivery of speaking in English and then repeating the same in Bengali. Films such as Ashok (1942), Parineeta (1942), Dwanda (1943), Matir Ghar (1944), Dui Purush (1945), Biraj Bou (1946) and Mandana (1950) showcased his talents as an actor of great quality.

At the peak of his career Chhabi Biswas directed two Bengali films, Pratikar (1949) and Jaar Jetha Ghar (1949). Both the films were produced by New Theatres and did pretty well at the box-office. However it Tapan Sinha`s screen adaptation of Rabindranath Tagore`s short story Kabuliwala that gave Chhabi Biswas a golden opportunity to exploit his histrionic abilities. As Rehmat Khan, Chhabi Biswas delivered one of his most memorable performances. He played the role of an Afghan who is a dry-fruits merchant with a golden heart. He develops a soft corner for the little Bengali girl Mini. The role of Mini was played to perfection by Tinku Thakur. Chhabi Biswas looked absolutely mind blowing in the role of an Afghan. He altered his diction so that the role looks more realistic.

In 1956 Chhabi Biswas once again delighted his audiences with his performance in Dadathakur a biography of Sarat Pandit, the renowned satirist, scholar and social reformer. This time he was no more the stern patriarch rather Chhabi Biswas seen the role of humble Bengali Brahmin pandit who strongly believes in his beliefs and conventions. He was so real that even Sarat Pandit appreciated him for the role.

Another Bengali film that immortalised Chhabi Biswas on screen was Jalsaghar (1958) directed by Satyajit Ray. As Biswambhar Ray, the music-loving feudal landlord doomed to a lonely and tragic end, was amazingly portrayed by Ray. Till date it remains one of his best characterisation. He once again teamed up with Ray to deliver a superb performance in Devi. Here he was a spiritual man who strongly believed that his young daughter-in-law (Sharmila Tagore) was an incarnation of the goddess. In Ray`s Kanchanjungha (1962) he was brilliant and absolutely perfect as Rai Bahadur Indranath Chowdhury. He was a dominant father who commanded over his aristocratic family.

Chhabi Biswas died in a car accident on 11th June, 1962. Chhabi Biswas was felicitated with the Sangeet Natak Academy Award for the best actor in 1959.

Satyajit Ray once said, "I doubt if I could ever make the film Jalsaghar without an actor of the caliber of Chhabibabu. Probably not. Biswambhar Roy`s pride and recklessness, his passionate love for music and his obsessive love for his only son and finally the tragic downfall - only a genius like him could portray these myriad emotions." This was an ultimate homage that one maestro can pay to another.

Some of the most memorable films of Chhabi Biswas are:

Chanakya, 1939	Chhele Kaar, 1954
Nimai Sannyas, 1940	Kabuliwala, 1956
Abhayer Biye, 1942	Jalsaghar, 1958
Debar, 1943	Devi, 1960
Saat Nambar Bari, 1946	Saptapadi, 1961
Biraj Bou, 1946	Kanchanjangha, 1962
Chadrasekhar, 1947	Dadathakur, 1962
Durgesh Nandini, 1951