Work Of Fiction: Rani Mukerji’s ‘Factually Inaccurate’ Mrs Chatterjee Vs Norway Irks Norway Ambassador

Mrs Chatterjee Vs Norway Release: Almost two years after the release of Bunty Aur Babli 2, Rani Mukerji has finally made her big-screen comeback with Ashima Chibber's Mrs Chatterjee Vs Norway.

The film, based on the true story of an Indian couple fighting for custody of their children against the Norwegian foster system, has received a strong reaction from the country. However, the Norwegian Ambassador to India has dismissed the movie as a "work of fiction", claiming that it contains factual inaccuracies.

NORWEGIAN AMBASSADOR TO INDIA UNHAPPY WITH RANI MUKERJI'S FILM

The film portrays the plight of an Indian immigrant couple whose two children were removed from their care by the Norwegian foster system in 2011, citing cultural differences. However, the Norwegian Embassy has released a statement clarifying that children are not taken away from their families due to cultural differences, such as eating with their hands or sleeping in bed with their parents.

The Norwegian Ambassador emphasized that Norway is a multicultural society that values and respects different family systems and cultural practices. However, the embassy's statement explained that children are placed in alternative care only if they face neglect, violence, or abuse.

OFFICIAL STATEMENT OF NORWAY AMBASSADOR

The statement read, "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." He further stressed that "some general facts must be set right".

Moreover, the embassy has refuted the claim made in the film that the foster system is a profit-driven entity, stating that it is a matter of responsibility and not a source of income. The statement also acknowledged that child welfare cases are challenging and difficult for all parties involved.

In 2011, the Norwegian authorities had alleged that Sagarika Chatterjee, the mother, fed her children with her hands, beat them, and provided them with unsuitable clothing and toys. After a diplomatic row between India and Norway, the children's custody was granted to their uncle, who brought them back to India. Sagarika had to approach the court to regain custody of her children after her marriage ended.