“Mrs Chatterjee Vs Norway” has sparked debate as the Norwegian Ambassador to India depicted the film as a ‘fictional representation’ with factual inaccuracies. Now, Rani Mukerji has slammed the claims and spoken up on the whole issue.
“Everyone has the right to their own opinion. This film was not intended to offend anyone. It was a mother’s story that needed to be told and seen by a large number of people. People need to be aware of stories like this happening around the world,” said the actress.
She also elaborated on the fact that it’s a true story and details the painful journey of a mother trying to get her children back.
Director Ashima Chibber’s film is based on Sagarika Chakraborty’s story, in which Norway’s Child Welfare Services took her children away due to improper parenting, and she battled the government to reclaim her children.
Hans Jacod Frydenlund, Norwegian ambassador to India, took to social media earlier this year to criticise the film for alleged inaccuracies.
He wrote an op-ed in which he stated that the film is seen for what it is and that viewers will recognise that it is a fictional representation. He also claimed that cultural differences were not the primary factor in the case.
Mukerji insists that the film was not intended to demonise any particular country or location. “The film clearly demonstrates how it is never the main people who do it, but people who take advantage of a system. But everyone is protective of their own country and will try to defend it. But it’s also about watching the film and learning about the true story,” she says.
Rani Mukerji also responds to the claim that it is a fictional account, saying, “For someone like me, who is an Indian citizen, what would I understand with my Indian government being involved in this? It can’t be a made-up story because my government assisted in reuniting the children with their mother. So, one person saying something doesn’t impact the overall picture of the film we wanted to make and the story we wanted to tell.”
The story is based on Sagarika’s real-life incident. But, unfortunately, she has yet to receive an apology from the Norwegian government for subjecting her to the traumatic experience for which Mukerji hopes the film will help push.