Director: Ashima Chibber
Starring: Rani Mukerji, Jim Sarbh and Neena Gupta
‘A Captivating Drama’
Few actresses in Bollywood are as beloved as Rani Mukerji. Ever since rise to stardom in the 1990’s, Mukerji has transformed into one of the finest actresses in the Indian film industry. Whether it’s star-crossed lovers, prostitutes or bold housekeepers, Mukerji has suggested she can portray various characters. Through her ability to portray characters that are compelling, she has created a legacy which has proven lasting. Mukerji’s greatest strength as an actress has always been her versatility. Mukerji’s strength as an actress is her courage to take risks. She is one of those actresses which has never been afraid of taking risks in her career by playing characters which aren’t commonly likeable. Despite reaching age of retirement, Mukerji has never lost her passion for making powerful entertainment. Throughout an enduring career, Mukerji has crafted many memorable movies which are definitely without a doubt absolutely worth watching.
I’m a huge fan of Mukerji and adore all films she has made in her career. However, “Mrs. Chatterjee vs. Norway” definitely stands out as her most underrated movie. Released in 2023, Ashima Chibber’s film offered a bold portrait of immigrant Indian mothers fighting injustice. Packed with engaging production, soulful storytelling and fantastic acting, it’s a strong Indian social drama. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance by Rani Mukerji, who embodies a mother that seeks child custody. Although “Mrs. Chatterjee vs. Norway” is a captivating Indian drama, it’s not a flawless film. It builds a melodramatic conclusion without any satisfying resolution. Nevertheless, it offers stirring entertainment for fans of Rani Mukerji.
“Mrs. Chatterjee vs. Norway” tells the story of a mother seeking custody in Norway. Rani Mukerji plays Debika Chatterjee, a powerful mother that has recently immigrated toward Norway. Debika has always considered kids with affection that have impacted her life in a big way in Norway. However, Debika’s life drastically changes when she is separated from her children by a barrier. Faced with serious dilemma, Debika questions whether it’s truly possible for her to anymore survive in a country far removed from India. As all odds become stacked against her favour, Debika wonders whether she would ever be able to regain custody of children which she has lost forever.
Ashima Chibber is a newcomer to stories of immigrant mothers facing a dilemma. Before she made “Mrs. Chatterjee vs. Norway”, the female filmmaker had never made a movie about immigrant mothers before. It was the director’s first attempt to capture the lives of immigrant mothers seeking child custody, but she succeeded immensely. Using strong cinematography, Chibber captures a mother embarking on journey to gain child custody. Evoking Mehboob Khan’s “Mother India”, the director expertly uses montages to capture hardship faced by mothers in countries that are located far from India. For instance, the montages enhance the child custody fights scene. During this tense scene, Debika has a tense fight with the legal system regarding custody of children. Using strong montages, Chibber crafts portrait of child custody that is engaging. Montages are tricky techniques to use in Bollywood films. As Karan Johar’s “Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham” demonstrated, montages elevate Bollywood movies about broken families. Nevertheless, it works well in this film. Using stunning visuals, Chibber captures tension that mothers seeking child custody are facing.
Another strong aspect of “Mrs. Chatterjee vs. Norway” that deserves appreciation is the production. From a technical point-of-view, it’s one of the best Indian movies you will ever see. Chibber effectively employs cross-cutting to stage musical sequences about mothers which are engrossing. For instance, the cross-cutting enhances the Maa Ke Dil Se song. During this memorable song, Debika delivers a melody expressing her strong roles as a mother. Using cross-cutting, Chibber creates musical numbers that are engaging. Moreover, the musical score is magnificent. It gives the movie an engaging atmosphere capturing a burden mothers bear. Using stunning production, Chibber captures mothers that experience legal tension.
Storytelling is one of the reasons why “Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway” is a legal film that’s engaging. The film is extremely well written, and effectively uses dramatic monologues to capture tensions mothers seeking child custody are facing. Throughout the movie, Debika’s monologues express her devotion towards becoming a mother. For instance, monologues elevate the mother confession scene. During this heartfelt scene, Debika delivers an emotional speech expressing her love for her children which she regards with affection. Through engrossing monologues, Chibber creates a portrait of child custody audiences can relate to. Monologues aren’t easy techniques to use in Bollywood movies. As Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s “Black” proved, monologues elevate Bollywood films about blind women. Nevertheless, it works well in this movie.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Rani Mukerji delivers one of her best career performances as Debika. Mukerji achieved appreciation for playing romantic heroines in Bollywood movies. With “Mrs. Chatterjee vs. Norway”, however, she took on her most complex role. It isn’t easy to portray a fierce mother seeking child custody, but she pulls it off successfully. This is the actress unlike you have ever seen her before: charismatic, intense and heartfelt in her most compelling role. With riveting expressions, she captures the angst, bravery and resentment faced by a woman seeking child custody professions. It’s a powerful performance from one of the finest actresses in India today.
Despite its strong performances, however, “Mrs. Chatterjee vs. Norway” can’t entirely capture struggles faced by mothers which live in Norway. If there’s a shortcoming to the movie, it lacks an engaging ending. It’s a melodramatic conclusion that fails to bring the movie toward a resolution. At worst, it perpetuates false myths about Norway that aren’t true towards reality. Therefore, “Mrs. Chatterjee vs. Norway” is one of those rare Bollywood movies about mothers which not everyone will adore.
Nevertheless, fans of Rani Mukerji will enjoy “Mrs. Chatterjee vs. Norway” and so would audiences seeking heartfelt entertainment. A captivating Bollywood courtroom drama, it honours an actress that’s beloved in India.
Nearly three years following the release of an iconic Bollywood film about a ferocious mother fighting to gain her child custody in Norway, it’s a riveting reminder of a beloved Indian actress that has built a lasting legacy through ability to portray strong characters in memorable movies that definitely deserve appreciation today.
4/5 stars
The Film Buff 