When the story of a movie revolves around a mother's relentless struggle to find her children, it must be worth it. Ashima Chibber's Mrs Chatterjee Vs Norway actress Rani Mukerji as Debika Chatterjee who is separated from her two children by Norway's child protection program under the pretext of foster care better. Based on a real incident that happened in 2011 and caused a diplomatic dispute between India and Norway, Ms. Chatterjee Vs Norway boasts of great writing and performance and still looks great. It often tears you apart and makes you think about ideas.

The incident shocked India as many followed the tragic case of Indian couple Sagarika and Anurup Bhattacharya in Barnevernet, Norway's child protection agency who abducted their children due to abusive parents. The couple was accused of making their children sleep in their beds, feeding them with their hands and applying kohl. The father was accused of not helping his wife with housework and said the mother was unreasonable. The Indian media reported the news very heartbreakingly, with many pointing to the huge cultural differences between the two countries in their views on raising children.

Since many people know Ms. Chatterjee's story against Norway, it was more of a challenge to make the film appeal to the audience. Written by Chibber with Rahul Handa and Sameer Satija, the film is set in a mood, which is one of despair, uncertainty and anxiety. Debika and her husband Anirudh (Anirban Bhattacharya) run from post to post to collect their children from the Norwegian authorities but roadblocks hit one by one. It doesn't help that there are already cracks in their relationship. Anirudh is portrayed as an ambitious man, who does not want to offend or challenge the Norwegian government to gain citizenship in the country. He is also a virgin who does not believe that he helps his wife around the house at times and brings her along mainly because of his desire to succeed at work.

Debika, meanwhile, takes care of the family and two children. Her son, who the authorities suspect, has autism and she is still feeding her five-month-old daughter. The separation aggravated him and he ended up behaving badly during several court hearings, leading the Norwegian authorities to believe the declaration of his mental insanity and thus restricting his access to children it will meet.

Authors should be given credit for what they have achieved. They carry a good feeling that you will eventually sympathize with his mother and her pain and separation from her children. Chibber also includes Bengali wells. The dialogue, especially between Mukerji and Bhattacharya, is similar to how Bengali couples talk or argue.

The feeling is there. At one point, the Rani is heard arguing about how to use a fork to serve the child macher jhol-bhaat (fish and rice curry) - a dish that is a staple in every Bengali household. This food is fed to the children, or the family eats, and the reaction of the actors in the middle of the conflict is very true to the Bengali family. In this way the changing scene creates the right place.

What is inconsistent is Rani Mukerji's Hindi, which she deliberately tries to speak badly because of her character's background. It is clear that it separates the actor because there are times when he forgets his character and speaks Hindi effortlessly but he reverts to the language form and -no need.

Rani Mukerji also plays her role as Debika. Yes, she is an angry mother in some scenes so powerful that Rani can portray her character's pain well, but she often goes the emotional route in melodrama. But while we want to feel deeply about his character and the pain he is going through, we end up squirming at his nonsensical behavior. Rani is still holding her own with the drama that rests on her shoulders.

The rest of the actors are great. Famous Bengali actor Anirban Bhattacharya makes his Bollywood debut in this film as the cold, passive and self-centered Mr. Chatterjee who is just thinking about getting citizenship in Norway. Bhattacharya is famous for all his performances in various Bengali movies and in Mrs. Chatterjee Vs Norway he is so special in Anirudh's role that you don't like him.

Another successful actor is Jim Sarbh as the Norwegian lawyer Daniel Singh Ciupek - a man who is mistreated as being unsympathetic to Chatterjees at first and conniving. Sarbh delivers an unflinching and confident performance. The courtroom scene between him and actor Balaji Gauri, who plays lawyer Rani, is the best scene in the film, which is played by actors who well, making them the best time.

The casting is correct. Many famous Bengali actors are doing supporting roles in the movie easily. There are Barun Chanda, Bodhisatva Majumdar, Mithu Chakraborty and Saswati Guhathakurta who are doing their best. Neena Gupta has a cameo - as a politician who impersonates the late Sushma Swaraj - which plays a critical role in the case.

The film has a nonsensical plot. The first episode, when Anirban and Rani are trying to get their children back, where Rani's pain is spot on, seems shocking after some time. You want to feel their emotions, but because of the melodrama and the fact that Rani is playing to the gallery, that doesn't translate well to the audience. The pace picks up in the second half, especially in the last hour as the story goes to India. Sarbh shows great acting ability in courtroom drama and shines there.

Ultimately Mrs. Chatterjee Vs Norway is uneven. But it is the story that is the biggest triumph in this heartbreaking story. Of course, there is melodrama, but the central story of the film is such that it makes you feel good. After all, a mother's love for her children is known, and that always makes for an interesting story.