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Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway

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Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway
Theatrical release poster
Directed byAshima Chibber
Written bySameer Satija
Ashima Chibber
Rahul Handa
Produced byMonisha Advani
Madhu Bhojwani
Nikkhil Advani
StarringRani Mukerji
Anirban Bhattacharya
Neena Gupta
Jim Sarbh
CinematographyAlvar Kõue
Edited byNamrata Rao
Music bySongs:
Amit Trivedi
Background Score:
Hitesh Sonik
Production
companies
Distributed byZee Studios
Release date
  • 17 March 2023 (2023-03-17)
Running time
144 minutes[1]
CountryIndia
LanguageHindi
Budget₹29 crore[2]
Box office₹36.53 crore[3]

Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway is a 2023 Indian Hindi-language legal drama film written and directed by Ashima Chibber starring Rani Mukerji, Anirban Bhattacharya, Neena Gupta, and Jim Sarbh.[4] The film is inspired by the real-life story of Anurup Bhattacharya and Sagarika Chakraborty, an Indian couple whose children were taken away by Norwegian authorities in 2011.[5][6]

The film was theatrically released worldwide on 17 March 2023.[7] Mukerji's performance earned her several accolades including the Filmfare Award for Best Actress (Critics), the IIFA Award for Best Actress, and the Zee Cine Critics Award for Best Actor – Female.[8][9]

Plot

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The film follows Debika, who lives in Stavanger with her husband Aniruddha, son Shubh and five month old daughter Suchi. Two Norwegian Child Welfare Services employees visit them regularly before taking Shubh and Suchi during the last visit. The Chatterjees are told that they are unfit to hold custody of their children, so Debika decides to win back custody of her children. Some of the charges levied against her are that the children co-sleep with the parents, they are hand-fed and the mother is mentally unstable and unfit to parent the children. Soon Debika learns that the child welfare service is a scam to extort immigrants. She learns of the children's foster location and takes them away to Sweden but is soon caught at the border. How she overcomes legal hurdles and reunites with her children while dealing with her pathetic husband, forms the rest of the story.

Cast

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  • Rani Mukerji as Debika Chatterjee
  • Anirban Bhattacharya as Aniruddha "Anirudh" Chatterjee, Debika's husband
  • Jim Sarbh as Daniel Singh Ciupek, lawyer of Norway
  • Neena Gupta as Vasudha Kamat, Indian External Affairs Minister (character based on Sushma Swaraj)[10]
  • Kärt Tammjärv as Sia, officer at Velfred
  • Britta Soll as Matilda Magnus, officer at Velfred
  • Barun Chanda as Abhijeet Dutta, Kolkata High Court Judge
  • Balaji Gauri as Advocate Sunaina Pratap
  • Mithu Chakrabarty as Anirudh's mother
  • Soumya Mukherjee as Anurag Chatterjee, Aniruddha's brother
  • Bodhisattwa Majumder as Debika's father
  • Saswati Guha Thakurta as Debika's mother
  • Varun Vazir as Biswajeet Sarkar
  • Charu Shankar as Nandini
  • Roopangi Vanvari as Rabia
  • Sara Soulié as Berit Hansen, kindergarten teacher at Velfred
  • Yuvaan Vanvari as Shubha Chatterjee, Debika and Aniruddha's son
  • Irha Ali as Suchi Chatterjee, Debika and Aniruddha's daughter
  • Kristjan Sarv as Lars Kristiansen (official from Velfred)

Production

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Development

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Mrs. Chatterjee Vs Norway is the first Indian film to be shot in Estonia. The film was announced by Rani Mukerji in March 2021.[11]

The film also marks the Hindi film debut of the Bengali actor Anirban Bhattacharya.

The film is inspired by the real story of Sagarika Chakraborty and her husband, an Indian couple living in Norway whose children were taken away by the Norwegian Child Welfare Services, who had objections against parenting habits that are considered typical in Indian culture.[12][13]

Filming

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Principal photography began in August 2021.[14] The first production schedule took place in Estonia and was completed by 21 September 2021.[15] The film was wrapped up on 18 October 2021.[16][17]

Release

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Theatrical

[edit]

Mrs. Chatterjee Vs Norway was theatrically released on 17 March 2023.[18]

Music

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Mrs Chatterjee Vs Norway
Soundtrack album by
Amit Trivedi
Released2 March 2023[19]
GenreFeature film soundtrack
Length10:50
LanguageHindi
LabelZee Music Company
Amit Trivedi chronology
Uunchai
(2022) 		Mrs Chatterjee Vs Norway
(2023) 		Ghoomer
(2023)
Official audio
Mrs Chatterjee Vs Norway - Full Album on YouTube

The music of the film is composed by Amit Trivedi. Lyrics are written by Kausar Munir.[19]

Track listing
No.TitleSinger(s)Length
1."Shubho Shubho"Altamash Faridi2:56
2."Maa Ke Dil Se"Javed Ali, Dipakshi Kalita3:33
3."Aami Jaani Re"Madhubanti Bagchi4:04
Total length:10:50

Reception

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Critical reception

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On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 19% of 16 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 4.9/10.[20] Zinia Bandyopadhyay of India Today gave the film 3.5 stars out of five and said, "The best thing about the film is, undoubtedly, Rani Mukerji’s performance. It is not a light watch, but something that is compelling and emotional. However, by the end, the film feels a bit stretched."[21] Bollywood Hungama gave the film 3 stars out of five and said, "It is a hard-hitting drama and is laced with the career-best performance of Rani Mukerji."[22] Monika Rawal of Hindustan Times said, "It remains a true-to-heart account of a gut-wreching story of a mother, but there are so many layers you wish the director dug deeper and explored with the main character."[23]

Sukanya Verma of Rediff.com said, "Instead of feeling her desperation, despair or extreme acts stemming from a mother's primal need to protect her brood, what comes through is hollow theatrics."[24] Saibal Chatterjee of NDTV gave the film 1.5 stars out of five and said, "It is an overheated affair that sucks the air out of an intrinsically moving story that deserved infinitely better."[25] Udita Jhunjhunwala from Mint Lounge said, "It was hard to root for the Chatterjees in a film that has greater recall as a tear-soaked Bollywood drama than a recreation of a real life human-interest story."[26]

Box office

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The film collected ₹3.22 crore on its opening day with releasing on 500 screens.[27] The collections saw a 77.95% jump on the second day with the film collecting ₹4.55 crore. On the third day it earned ₹4.91 crore taking its first weekend collection to ₹12.68 crore. As of 20 April 2023, the film has grossed ₹36.53 crore worldwide with grossing 745K Norwegian Krones over the weekend, the film has become the highest grossing Bollywood film in Norway.[28] It later became the most-watched South Asian film in Norway with 8356 admits.[29]

Response from Norwegian authorities

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The Norwegian Embassy in India issued a statement before the release of film:

There has been a lot of attention towards the film, Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway.

The film is a work of fiction, even though it is based on an actual case. The case being referred to was resolved a decade ago in cooperation with Indian authorities and with the agreement of all parties involved. To protect the children and the right to privacy the government can not comment on specific cases due to strict confidentiality regulations. However, some general facts must be set right;

  • Children will never be taken away from their families based on cultural differences described. Eating with their hands or having children sleeping in bed with their parents are not considered practices harmful to children and are not uncommon in Norway, irrespective of cultural background.
  • Child welfare is not driven by profit. The alleged claim that ‘the more children put into the foster system, the more money they make’ is completely false. Alternative care is a matter of responsibility, and not a money making entity.
  • The reason for placing children in alternative care is if they are subject to neglect, violence or other forms of abuse.
    — Royal Norwegian Embassy, New Delhi

They further wrote that they ″sympathize with the affected families, particularly the children. For those involved, there is no denying that the such experiences are difficult.″[30]

Following the release of the film, Norwegian Ambassador Hans Jacob Frydenlund criticized the film, stating that "it incorrectly depicts Norway’s belief in family life and our respect for different cultures."[31] This was countered by Sagarika Chakraborty who condemned the statements made by him adding, "When the whole world can see the bond between me and my kids, the Norwegian Government continues to spread lies about her without even knowing her story". She also said that she's getting a lot of love from all over the world and people want to come and meet her after the film. Sagarika said that the Indian Government has helped her immensely.[32] In an op-ed piece in the Indian Express, she specifically referred to the issues surrounding children sharing the bed and being fed.[33]

Jone Skjelbred, Municipal Manager for children, young people and families in Stavanger municipality said that ″they do not want to comment on the case because none of the people who have worked on this case work for them anymore. As a result, they do not have enough knowledge of the matter.″ Gunnar Toresen, who was head of child protection in Stavanger municipality in 2011, said, ″This is not the story as it happened, but the film probably reflects the violent feelings that the case triggered in the family and in India.″[34]

Accolades

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Award Ceremony date Category Recipients Result Ref.
Filmfare Awards 28 January 2024 Best Actress Rani Mukerji Nominated [35]
Best Actress (Critics) Won
Zee Cine Awards 10 March 2024 Best Actor – Female Nominated
Best Actor (Critics) – Female Won
International Indian Film Academy Awards 28 September 2024 Best Actress Won [36]
[9]

References

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  1. ^ "Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway". British Board of Film Classification. Archived from the original on 12 March 2023. Retrieved 12 March 2022.
  2. ^ "Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway - Movie". Box Office India. Archived from the original on 21 July 2023. Retrieved 21 July 2023.
  3. ^ "Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway Box Office". Bollywood Hungama. 17 March 2023. Archived from the original on 20 March 2023. Retrieved 21 March 2023.
  4. ^ Kanabar, Nirali (21 March 2022). "Birthday Girl Rani Mukerji on her next Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway and not being typecast". India Today. Archived from the original on 30 April 2022. Retrieved 30 April 2022.
  5. ^ "Indian couple's children taken away by Norway authorities". NDTV. 24 December 2011. Archived from the original on 23 October 2022. Retrieved 23 October 2022.
  6. ^ "Rani Mukherjee's 'Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway' Is Based On This Indian Couple's Story". NDTV.com. Archived from the original on 26 February 2023. Retrieved 26 February 2023.
  7. ^ "Rani Mukerji's 'Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway' to make debut in theaters on March 17". The Times of India. 26 January 2023. Retrieved 26 January 2023.
  8. ^ "Filmfare Critics Awards 2024: Vikrant Massey Wins Best Actor, Rani Mukerji, Shefali Shah Tied for Best Actress". Times Now. 29 January 2024. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
  9. ^ a b "IIFA 2024: Shah Rukh Khan Wins Best Actor, Rani Mukerji Bags Best Actress Award. Check Out Full List Of Winners". ndtv.com. Retrieved 2 October 2024.
  10. ^ Hungama, Bollywood (6 March 2023). "REVEALED: Neena Gupta in Rani Mukerji-starrer Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway plays a character inspired by Sushma Swaraj : Bollywood News - Bollywood Hungama". Bollywood Hungama. Archived from the original on 23 March 2023. Retrieved 23 March 2023.
  11. ^ "Rani Mukerji opens up on her next Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway". 21 March 2022. Archived from the original on 30 April 2022. Retrieved 30 April 2022.
  12. ^ "Rani Mukerji's Starrer Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway Is Inspired By THIS Indian Couple's Story". News18. 25 February 2023. Archived from the original on 26 February 2023. Retrieved 26 February 2023.
  13. ^ "The true story behind Rani Mukherjee's latest film 'Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway'". The Indian Express. 25 February 2023. Archived from the original on 26 February 2023. Retrieved 26 February 2023.
  14. ^ "Rani Mukerji heads to an international destination for Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway shoot". 6 August 2021. Archived from the original on 30 April 2022. Retrieved 30 April 2022.
  15. ^ "Rani wraps her Estonia schedule". Ahmedabad Mirror. Archived from the original on 7 March 2023. Retrieved 30 April 2022.
  16. ^ "Rani Mukerji finishes shooting for Mrs Chatterjee Vs Norway: 'I went through a rollercoaster of emotions'". Hindustan Times. 20 October 2021. Archived from the original on 30 April 2022. Retrieved 30 April 2022.
  17. ^ "It's a wrap for Rani Mukerji's Mrs Chatterjee Vs Norway". 20 October 2021. Archived from the original on 3 December 2021. Retrieved 30 April 2022.
  18. ^ "In 'Mrs. Chatterjee Vs Norway', Rani Mukerji essays role of Sagarika Chakraborty whose heart-breaking fight for kids' custody shook the world". The Economic Times. 25 February 2023. ISSN 0013-0389. Archived from the original on 26 February 2023. Retrieved 26 February 2023.
  19. ^ a b "Mrs Chatterjee Vs Norway – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack". Jiosaavn. 2 March 2023. Archived from the original on 2 March 2023. Retrieved 2 March 2023.
  20. ^ "Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved 23 March 2023.
  21. ^ Zinia Bandyopadhyay (14 March 2023). "Mrs Chatterjee Vs Norway Movie Review: Rani Mukerji delivers one of her career-best performances". India Today. Archived from the original on 18 March 2023. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
  22. ^ Bollywood Hungama Review (17 March 2023). "Mrs. Chatterjee Vs Norway Movie Review". Bollywood Hungama. Archived from the original on 17 March 2023. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
  23. ^ Monika Rawal (14 March 2023). "Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway review: Rani Mukerji's heartbreaking legal drama suffers a flawed execution". Hindustan Times. Archived from the original on 18 March 2023. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
  24. ^ Sukanya Verma. "Mrs Chatterjee Vs Norway Review: Rani's Screechy Ode To Motherhood!". Rediff.com. Archived from the original on 16 March 2023. Retrieved 17 March 2023.
  25. ^ Saibal Chatterjee (17 March 2023). "Mrs Chatterjee Vs Norway Review: Rani Mukerji Lets It Rip And The Film Trips On Its Excesses". NDTV. Archived from the original on 17 March 2023. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
  26. ^ Udita Jhunjhunwala (16 March 2023). "Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway review: A loud, tear-soaked drama". Mint Lounge. Archived from the original on 18 March 2023. Retrieved 17 March 2023.
  27. ^ "Rani Mukerji's Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway outperforms Kapil Sharma's Zwigato on opening day, earns Rs 1.5 crore in comparison to Zwigato's Rs 40 lakh. The business has grown with 100 per cent in the second day, bringing in 3 crores. The movie is expected to do 5 crores on Sunday, considering positive word of mouth". The Indian Express. 18 March 2023. Archived from the original on 18 March 2023. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
  28. ^ "Mrs. Chatterjee Vs Norway Office". Bollywood Hungama. 17 March 2023. Archived from the original on 20 March 2023. Retrieved 21 March 2023.
  29. ^ "Rani Mukerji's Mrs. Chatterjee VS Norway' becomes the most watched South Asian film in Norway". Firstpost. 19 April 2023. Archived from the original on 22 April 2023. Retrieved 22 April 2023.
  30. ^ Royal Norwegian Embassy in New Delhi (17 March 2023). "Statement on Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway". Norgesportalen. Archived from the original on 26 March 2023.
  31. ^ "'Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway has factual inaccuracies,' says Norwegian ambassador". Hindustan Times. 17 March 2023. Retrieved 28 October 2024.
  32. ^ "Nikkhil Advani and Sagarika Chakraborty slam Norwegian Ambassador on allegations against Rani Mukerji's 'Mrs Chatterjee Vs Norway'". The Times of India. 17 March 2023. Archived from the original on 17 March 2023. Retrieved 17 March 2023.
  33. ^ "Sagarika Chakraborty, the real-life Mrs Chatterjee of 'Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway', writes: Don't dismiss it as fiction, I lived this story". The Indian Express. 21 March 2023. Archived from the original on 15 May 2023. Retrieved 15 May 2023.
  34. ^ Aslam/Dagsavisen, Hina (27 February 2023). "Tidligere barnevernsleder om Bollywood-film: – Dette er ikke historien slik den skjedde" [Former child welfare manager on Bollywood film: - This is not the story as it happened]. fontene.no (in Norwegian). Archived from the original on 28 March 2023.
  35. ^ "Nominations for the 69th Hyundai Filmfare Awards 2024 with Gujarat Tourism: Full list out". filmfare.com. Retrieved 21 January 2024.
  36. ^ "IIFA Awards Announces It's [sic] Highly Anticipated 2024 Nominations". IIFA. Retrieved 2 October 2024.
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