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Sagarika Chakraborty, who inspired Rani Mukerji's Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway, reacts to actress' National Award win: ‘Not just a personal triumph for her, it's a moment of validation for eve
Yesterday, (1st August), the 71st National Awards were announced and Rani Mukerji bagged the Best Actress win for her impactful portrayal in Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway. Now, Sagarika Chakraborty, the Indian mother who inspired this hard-hitting movie, shared her thoughts on Rani's win in an exclusive interview with Firstpost and said 'This recognition is not just a personal triumph for her—it is a moment of validation for every mother who has ever fought against unimaginable odds for her children.'
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'As the real-life inspiration behind _Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway_ and the author of The Journey of a Mother, I am overwhelmed with emotion to see Rani Mukerji honored with the National Award for her performance in the film. This recognition is not just a personal triumph for her—it is a moment of validation for every mother who has ever fought against unimaginable odds for her children,' said Chakraborty.
Talking about her book and praising Rani Mukerji's layered and extraordinary portrayal, she added, 'My book chronicles the raw, often painful truth of what I endured. The circumstances I was forced to navigate were far more complex and heartbreaking than what could be portrayed in a two-hour film. Yet within that limitation, Rani Mukerji nailed it. Her portrayal was deeply moving, layered, and extraordinarily powerful. She brought not just authenticity but soul to my story—her performance was nothing short of outstanding.'
Sharing that reality was more painful compared to shown in the film, Chakraborty shared, 'Of course, cinema has its own constraints. It's impossible to encapsulate every detail and emotional turn of events in just over two hours. That's why I've carefully documented the many twists, legal battles, and emotional breakdowns in my book. The reality was even more painful and demanding than what the audience witnessed on screen. Every page of The Journey of a Mother is a testament to the strength and endurance a mother must summon when her children are at stake.'
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Sagarika also shared that she has already started work on the second part of her book, which will lead to a possible sequel. 'Given the overwhelming response and the global relevance of this issue, I have already begun working on the second part of my book. There is so much more yet to be said—more layers to this journey that the world needs to understand. Once the writing is complete, I plan to engage in discussions with the director and producers about a potential sequel. There are still many truths to be told,' the author said.
'Above all, I am immensely happy and proud that Rani Mukerji's incredible performance has received the recognition it truly deserves. I believe stories like mine must reach people—not only to raise awareness, but to inspire courage, hope, and change in society. If this film and my book can empower even one struggling parent, then all the pain was not in vain,' she concluded.
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