He soon became a famous Cinematographer and started to work in films like P.C.Barua’s Mukti. Here he honed his craft and also became sensitised to the many socio-economic issues facing the People. He joined the IPTA ( Indian People’s Theatre Association ) and made the path breaking film “Udayar Pathey”.This film was against exploitation and served to inspire several young bengali film makers like Satyajit Ray, Ritwik Ghatak and Mrinal Sen.

Migrating to Bombay in 1950 he went on to make some of his classics like “Do Bigha Zameen”, Bandini, Parineeta, Madhumati ,Sujatha and his classical version of Devdas. His films were artistically beautiful, sensitive and socially relevant as they captured the essence of human existence with all its melodrama, romance and pathos for all his films were firmly rooted in reality. His message though subtle often left a deep impact on the viewer. Especially those Musically inclined. Bimal roy mostly used Salil Choudhry or S.D.Burman and some of the classic songs as seen in his films are……

“Jalthey Hain Jiske Liye” from Sujatha (1959),music by S.D.Burman.

“Suhana Safar Aur Yeh Mausam Haseen” ,”Aaja Re Pardesi” ,”Ghadi Ghadi Mora Dil Dhadake” from Madhumathi (1958), music by Salil Chowdhury,
“O Sajana Barkha Bahaar” from Parakh (1960), music by Salil Chowdhury,
“O Jaanewale Ho Sake To Laut Ke Aana” from Bandhini (1963), music by S.D. Burman.He was awarded the Filmfare award seven times as best director and Four times for best Picture, He also won the National Award for Do Bigha Zameen in 1953. He won the International Prize at Cannes for the same film , which was also nominated for the Grand Prize.This film was the first to pave the way for a parallel , new wave cinema to hit the country.

If some of these songs are familiar , now you know whom to thank……