Mukhopadhyay, who is a major Bengali novelist and short story writer, began his career as a teacher and later took up productive journalistic writing. He is a recipient of the Sahitya Akademi Award, Ananda Puraskar, Vidyasagar Puraskar, Saratchandra Media, and Bhaulka Puraskar.

In 1975, Shirshendu’s contribution to child literature was recognised by the West Bengal Government with the Vidyasagar Puraskar. He is a three-time winner of the Ananda Puraskar and a recipient of the Bhualka Puraskar in 1988.