Rani Mukerji has won the National Award for Best Actress at the 71st National Film Awards for her performance in 'Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway'. This marks her first National Award in a career spanning 30 years. The 71st National Film Awards were announced in New Delhi on August 1, 2025, recognizing films certified by the censor board between January 1, 2023, and December 31, 2023.
'Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway' is directed by Ashima Chibber and is based on the real-life story of Sagarika Chakraborty and Anurup Bhattacharya, an Indian couple whose children were taken away by Norwegian authorities in 2011. The film, released in March 2023, explores the cultural differences between Indian parenting styles and the Norwegian child welfare system. Mukerji's portrayal of Debika Chatterjee, a character inspired by Sagarika, resonated with audiences and critics.
In her official statement, Mukerji expressed her gratitude to the National Award jury for honoring her work in 'Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway'. She shared the moment with the film's team, including producers Nikkhil Advani, Monisha, and Madhu, and director Ashima Chibber, acknowledging their contribution to the project that celebrates the resilience of motherhood. She also stated that the award validates her 30-year career, her dedication to her craft, and her passion for cinema.
Mukerji dedicated her National Award to all the incredible mothers in the world. She emphasized the unparalleled nature of a mother's love and her fierce protectiveness towards her children. The actress stated that playing the role and winning the award felt deeply emotional and personal to her, especially after becoming a mother herself.
The film brought the real-life story of Sagarika Chakraborty to global attention, highlighting the emotional challenges faced by families in cross-cultural contexts. While the film was appreciated for bringing the story to light, it also sparked discussions on the limits of cultural understanding in international child welfare cases. The Norwegian Ambassador, Hans Jacob Frydenlund, expressed concerns about the film's portrayal of Norway's legal system, urging viewers not to mistake it for documentary truth. Sagarika Chakraborty questioned why Norwegian officials continued to dispute her experiences publicly. She highlighted that the Indian child welfare committee found her to be a fit mother, a decision confirmed by the Kolkata High Court, and her children have been with her for ten years.
The 71st National Film Awards also recognized other talents and films. Shah Rukh Khan (for 'Jawan') and Vikrant Massey (for '12th Fail') shared the Best Actor award. '12th Fail' also won the award for Best Feature Film. Sudipto Sen won Best Director for 'The Kerala Story'. Vijayaraghavan (for 'Pookkalam') and Muthupettai Somu Bhaskar (for 'Parking') shared the Best Supporting Actor award. Urvashi (for 'Ullozhukku') and Janaki Bodiwala (for 'Vash') shared the Best Supporting Actress award. Karan Johar’s ‘Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani’ won the Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment.
