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True story behind Rani Mukerji’s latest film “Mrs Chatterjee Vs Norway”


Published : 21 Mar 2023 09:55 PM

Popular Bollywood film actress Rani Mukerji returned to the big screen after two years with the film 'Mrs Chatterjee Vs Norway.' At the same time, Anirban Bhattacharya, the heartthrob of Bengali films, made his Bollywood debut through this film. The film is based on a real-life story and plotted from Sagarika Chakraborty's 2022 book The Journey of a Mother. The film has been released on Friday, March 17, 2023, and appears to be a blockbuster.

Debika and her family - husband Aniruddha, son Shubha, and five-month-old daughter Shuchi - live in Stavanger. During their last visit, Sia and Matilda of Velfred, a child welfare service, take away Shubha and Shuchi, leaving the Chatterjees in shock. They are informed that they are not allowed to keep custody of their children as they are considered unfit.

Debika then decides to battle the government to regain her children. In the process, she discovers the shocking truth about the child custody system in Norway, prompting her to take drastic action. The rest of the story follows her journey.

Ashima Chibber is an Indian film director who began her career as an assistant director for films such as “Rockstar” and "Chakde! India." Ashima's fame in Bollywood has been enhanced by her appearances in multiple blockbusters and collaborations with elite directors, allowing her career to flourish. Her entry into television was concurrent with a new phase in Indian TV.

This Hyderabadi girl, who has studied in Delhi and the UK, made her cinematic debut under the direction of acclaimed filmmaker Shimit Amin. In 2013, she made her directorial debut with the romantic comedy "Mere Dad Ki Maruti." The film received positive reviews and was a box-office success. Now she is back with another sensation, “Mrs Chatterjee Vs Norway.”

The film is produced by Monisha Advani, Madhu Bhojwani, and Nikkhil Advani.

In March 2021, Bollywood actress Rani Mukerji announced the development of a new film. The film is based on the real-life story of Sagarika Chakraborty and her husband, who had their children taken away by the Norwegian Child Welfare Services due to cultural differences in parenting styles.

Principal photography for the film began in August 2021, and the first production schedule took place in Estonia. By September 21, 2021, the schedule had been completed, and the filming was done by October 18, 2021.

'Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway' was released on 535 screens in 120 cities in India on Friday. The film has also been released on 510 screens in 43 countries around the world.

According to the real story, "Mrs Chatterjee" started a new chapter in her life when she and her husband relocated to Norway following their marriage. Rani Mukherji played the lead role in the movie, taking on the part of "Mrs Chatterjee," and Anirban Bhattacharya is her onscreen husband.

In the real story, Sagarika Chakraborty relocated to Norway with her husband, Anurup Bhattacharya, a geophysicist, in 2007. One year later, their first child Abhigyaan was born, and he later showed signs of autism. In 2010, the family expanded with the birth of Aishwarya.

In 2011, the Barnevernet, or Norwegian Child Welfare Services, took Abhigyaan and Aishwarya from their home and placed them in a foster home. The Norwegian government had observed the couple and determined that they were not competent guardians.

The Norwegian government accused "Mrs Chatterjee" of force-feeding her children with her hands, which they deemed improper parenting. The Barnevernet, who had the family under observation, reported that the couple was beating the kids, constituting corporal punishment. Despite the cultural differences between India and Norway, the Norwegian government was firm in applying its strict child protection laws to the Indian couple.

This legal battle for custody had a negative impact on "Mrs Chatterjee's" marriage. Anirudh was so concerned with his citizenship that he would do anything, even if it meant letting Sagarika take the fall; meanwhile, the Norwegians were taking joy in the misfortune of others.

In 2012, the Norwegian government gave custody of the kids to their uncle and grandfather, living in Kulti near Asansol, rather than their real parents. Sagarika then took her case to the Burdwan Child Welfare Committee, which gave a verdict in her favor. However, the police did not enforce it. In January 2013, Justice Dipankar Dutta stated that Sagarika should have custody of her kids, yet granting the uncle and grandfather visitation privileges.

The case was just about to be heard in Calcutta High Court when it was alleged that Sagarika had influenced the police to take her children away from their uncle's residence. Justice Dipankar Dutta had remarked that, though this may have been an act of a desperate mother, the court did not intend to take action against her.

The actors are Rani Mukerji as Debika Chatterjee; Anirban Bhattacharya as Aniruddha Chatterjee, Debika's husband; Jim Sarbh as Daniel Singh Ciupek, lawyer of Norway; Neena Gupta as Vasudha Kamat, Indian External Affairs Minister (the character based on Sushma Swaraj).

The story was all about the true love and sacrifice of a mother for her children. Despite the apparent connection between the mother and children that is visible to the entire world, the Norwegian Government spread falsehoods about her without taking the time to understand her story. On the whole, it can be said that the film “Mrs Chatterjee Vs Norway” will portray value-based Indian parenting and the indomitable struggle of a mother not letting anyone take her children away.