Rani Mukerji's upcoming film, 'Mrs Chatterjee Vs Norway' has ignited pain and fear in every heart of 'what ifs'! But not many know that this is a true story inspired by a Kolkata-based couple.
There is nothing more painful than your children being taken away from you forcibly. It is a nightmare for every parent, especially a mother, and Rani Mukerji's upcoming film, Mrs Chatterjee Vs Norway's trailer gave us just a glimpse of the painful ordeal of a Kolkata-based couple. Yes, it is based on the true story of Sagarika Bhattacharya and Anurup.
In the upcoming film, Mrs Chatterjee Vs Norway, Rani Mukerji portrays the character of a helpless mom, whose kids were forcibly taken away by Norway's child welfare, and how she fought with the entire system. The trailer gave us goosebumps and made us cry and feel all the intense emotions, which we never dare to think of in our lives. But it actually happened to a Kolkata-based woman, Sagarika Bhattacharya.
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In 2007, Sargarika married a man named, Anurup Bhattacharya, who was a geophysicist in Norway. The couple moved to Norway to start their marital bliss. And it was in 2008 when Sagarika got pregnant with her first child, whom she named Abhigyan.
She delivered her baby in India and for a year stayed in Kolkata. It was during this time, her son started showing symptoms of autism. Sagarika returned to Norway with her son in 2009 to join Anurup. Without having any idea that Norway awaits one of the scariest experiences of her life.
It was in 2010 when Sagarika welcomed a daughter. It was a difficult time for Sagarika as she had to manage her home and her kids all alone. Her husband, Anurup stayed busy with his work for long hours. During this time, her son, Abhigyan started showing concerning signs like banging his head in frustration and difficulty in communication.
Since Norway has extremely strict child protection laws, they simply don't believe in hitting the child. And a single complaint can land CWS (Child Welfare Services) team at your doorstep, and in the worse case they will take away your child. This fate befallen upon Sagarika and her husband, Anurup as CWS took away their kids on the ground of neglect and emotional disconnect. They were to remain in custody until they turned 18.
Sagarika had a tough fight battling with the verdict given by the government of Norway. Sagarika, who was in her twenties was called mentally unfit to take care of her children. It was a two-year-long intense legal battle between Sagarika and the whole country. She refused to accept the judgement. The Indian government also stepped in to turn the case in Sagarika's favour.
A scene from Rani Mukerji's upcoming film, 'Mrs Chatterjee Vs Norway'!
During this time, the children were sent to India in April 2012. On the other hand, Sagarika's marriage with Anurup broke down, but her will to reunite with her kids didn't. In India, the children were under the custody of Anurup's parents as CWS branded Sagarika as 'unfit to take care of her kids'. It further led to another fight as she ran from Norway's courtrooms to Indian courtrooms to get reunited with her kids.
For those wondering whether Sagarika got custody of her kids or not. Well, it was in 2013, Sagarika got reunited with her children in India. According to reports, she now lives a private life with her children in Kolkata, India. And the upcoming film of Rani Mukerji is a try at depicting Sagarika's traumatic three years in three hours.
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