Rani Mukerji was honored with the Best Actress award at the 71st National Film Awards for her performance in "Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway". The award ceremony took place in New Delhi where President Droupadi Murmu presented the award to Mukerji. Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw was also present. This marks Mukerji's first National Award in her nearly 30-year-long career.
Overwhelmed by the recognition, Mukerji dedicated the award to her late father, Ram Mukherjee. She expressed how much this honor meant to her and how her father had always dreamt of this moment for her. "I miss him deeply today, and I know it's his blessing and my mother's constant strength and inspiration that guided me through the role of Mrs. Chatterjee," she stated.
Mukerji also extended her gratitude to her fans for their unwavering support throughout her career. She acknowledged how much this award meant to them and expressed her joy in seeing their happiness. Additionally, she thanked the film's director, Ashima Chibber, and producers Nikkhil Advani, Monisha Advani, and Madhu Bhojwani. She also acknowledged the entire cast and crew from Estonia and India, recognizing the challenges they overcame during the COVID period to bring the powerful story to life. Mukerji also thanked the National Award jury for recognizing her work.
For the special occasion, Rani Mukerji wore a beautiful brown saree, complemented by a white necklace, silver-plated earrings, and bangles. Notably, she also wore a necklace with her daughter Adira's name on it, adding a personal touch to her look.
"Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway," released in 2023, is a legal drama directed by Ashima Chibber and stars Rani Mukerji as Mrs. Chatterjee, along with Anirban Bhattacharya, Neena Gupta, and Jim Sarbh in key roles. The film is based on the real-life story of Sagarika Chakraborty and Anurup Bhattacharya, an Indian couple residing in Norway whose children were taken away by Norwegian authorities in 2011. The film portrays Debika Chatterjee, a mother who confronts an unfamiliar legal system to regain custody of her children. It highlights the cultural misunderstandings that can arise between Indian parenting styles and Western child welfare systems.
The film garnered positive reviews upon its release, with critics praising its powerful narrative and Mukerji's compelling performance. While a moderate success at the box office, earning ₹38.3 crore worldwide against a budget of ₹20 crore, it gained broader appreciation on OTT platforms. Mukerji's performance in the film has earned her several accolades, including the Filmfare Award for Best Actress (Critics) and the IIFA Award for Best Actress.
The National Award ceremony was attended by several prominent figures from the Indian film industry, including Shah Rukh Khan, Mohanlal, Ekta Kapoor, Karan Johar, and others. Shah Rukh Khan also won Best Actor, sharing the award with Vikrant Massey.
"Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway" has not only brought critical acclaim to Rani Mukerji but has also reopened discussions about cultural understanding in global child welfare cases. The film serves as a tribute to mothers worldwide and captures the resilient spirit of an immigrant mother fighting against all odds to protect her children.
