Notable for her role as Surinder in the British television series Fortysomething, Chakrabarti also had a successful career as a stage actress, appearing in productions at London's Tricycle, Almeida, and Royal Court theatres. Also a writer, she received an Olivier Award nomination and numerous other honors for her 2012 play Red Velvet. She trained at The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) and shortly thereafter played W.P.C. Jamilla Blake on the popular television series The Bill.