MRS.CHATTERJEE VS. NORWAY: Based on Mrs Sagarika Chakraborti’s real-life trials and tribulations against the Norwegian Government, this movie is a heart-warming tale of an immigrant mother’s relentless struggle for the custody of her children. Despite living in Norway, Mrs Chatterjee lives the life of a Bengali bou and her home is steeped in Bangaliana. They eat Bangali khabar with fingers and the children sleep with their parents. This mode of Indian parenting is highly disapproved by the Norwegian authorities and they confiscate the children and put them under foster care. The rest of the movie unfolds the socio-legal drama that ensues in Norway and India finally culminating in a rejoiceful family reunion. The movie is high in content and the delivery is superlative. Rani carries the movie on her petite shoulders and is uninhibited and flawless. The unrelenting protests, the hysterical wails and rants, the pangs of separation and the unbridled joy on seeing her children, the constant pleading with her husband-she enacts all of these with elan and panache. She screeches and howls but never goes over the top. Although Anirban Bhattacharya puts in an impressive debut in Bollywood, its Rani’s movie all the way. But there are certain events in the movie that I couldn’t digest:
- Rani is a BSc graduate and yet speaks in broken English.
- India breaks off the telecom deal with Norway over some “foster child” issue.
- Lawyers are so damn supportive-even the opposition lawyer takes a backseat and embraces defeat and says “Congratulations!”
- While the gripe is against Indian parenting, why is custody given to Anurag Chatterjee, the brother-in-law who is also Indian and a bachelor to boot.
- How could Rani take away her children from the foster home and travel to Sweden without being nabbed earlier than when it is shown?
When Barun Chanda showed up as the judge, the climax seemed predictable. The movie is interspersed with Bengali dialogues and mannerisms and even the Hindi spoken by Rani has a Bengali twang. Though this sounds delightful to Bengalis-it might deter non-Bengali speaking audiences. The final statement given by Rani in the Calcutta court could have been more impactful and soul-stirring. Music is moderately pleasing especially the “Shubho Shubho” track. The natural beauty of Norway is not much captured or kept at the editing table. Jim Sarbh’s performance is commendable. Neena Gupta is wasted in a miniscule cameo. Directed by Ashima Chibber, the movie, with its release after International Women’s Day and before Mother’s Day is a women-centric movie which despite being a tear-jerker will appeal to families all across the globe. It’s been since long that Rani has acted in a non-YRK movie and she gives it her all. Watch the movie to enjoy and marvel at Rani’s bravura performance.
AninditaRoyMusings 