“Mrs. Chatterjee Vs Norway” is inspired by a true story about Sagarika Bhattacharya, who lived in Norway with her husband, Anup, and their two kids. In 2011, their children were taken away by a group called Barnevernet, which is Norway’s Child Welfare Services. They claimed the kids were not being treated properly. After separating from her husband, Sagarika fought a legal battle for two years to regain custody of her children. The Indian government supported her, and eventually, the Kolkata High Court ruled in her favor. The movie tells a fictional version of her struggle.
It’s heartbreaking for any mother to have her children taken away without any wrongdoing on her part. The film shows that some members of Norway’s child services are overly strict when judging the actions of Indian parents. It suggests that the agency might be involved in corrupt practices, using their power to exploit immigrant families who may not fully understand the local laws. These families are often unfairly accused, losing their rights to raise their own kids, who are then placed with wealthy couples without children. While the movie hints at a larger problem, it mainly focuses on one woman’s fight for justice.
At first glance, the Chatterjees seem to lead an ideal life abroad. Debika Chatterjee is a loving mother and homemaker, while her husband, Anirudh, is a successful worker hoping to get a permanent residency visa. But as the story unfolds, we start to see the issues in their relationship, suggesting that things aren’t as perfect as they seem.
