Norway's ambassador to India, Hans Jacob Frydenblund, on Friday said the film 'Mrs Chatterjee Vs Norway' is a 'work of fiction,' and the movie does not represent realities. In an official tweet, he said, "It (The Movie) depicts Norway's belief in a family life and our respect for different cultures."
He tweeted, “Child welfare is a matter of great responsibility, never motivated by payments or profit."
The film stars Rani Mukerji in the lead and is based on the actual case of Sagarika Bhattacharya, whose children were taken away from them by Norwegian welfare services in 2011. The film recounts the story of an immigrant Indian mother’s battle against the Norwegian foster care system and local legal machinery to regain her children's custody.
While hitting out at the movie, the ambassador said, in an op-ed in The Indian Express, "the film, unfortunately, portrays factual inaccuracies" and "a fictional representation of the case."
While defending child welfare in Norway, the ambassador said that the fundamental principle of child welfare in Norway is to protect the child's best interests.
Norway Embassy, in a statement, said, "The film Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway is a work of fiction, even though it is based on an actual case. The case being referred to was resolved a decade ago in cooperation with Indian authorities and with the agreement of all parties involved."
After Frydenlund's review, the film's producer Nikkhil Advani shared what happened at the screening where Frydenlund was invited. Taking to Twitter, Nikkhil wrote, “Atithi Devo Bhava! is a cultural mandate in India. Every Indian is taught that by our elders. Last evening we hosted the Norwegian Ambassador and volunteered to show him our film Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway. Post the screening, I sat quietly watching him admonish two strong women who have chosen to tell this very important story. I was quiet because just like Sagarika Chakraborty, they don't need me to fight for them and ‘culturally’ we do not insult our guests. As far as a clarification is concerned. Video Attached.”
In the video, the mother said, "I condemn the false statement by the Norwegian ambassador in the papers today."
She said the ambassador spoke about her case even without any decency to ask her about the incident that took place 10 years ago.
She alleged that the Norwegian government continues to spread lies against her and the child. She said that the government has not issued an apology till today on the matter. "They destroyed my life and traumatised my children and me," she said in the video.
Based on Sagarika’s book The Journey of a Mother, the film is directed by Ashima Chibber. The film also stars Jim Sarbh and Anirban Bhattacharya among others.