Rani Mukerji wanted the audience to forget that they were watching a star on the screen and instead connect with her character in Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway, the actress said after winning the best actress trophy for the Ashima Chibber directorial at the Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival Award recently.

“When I was shooting, I just had one thing in mind — that I had to give more than my 100 per cent so as to bring this story to the big screen. I wanted to make it feel real and to show it in a way that people forget me but see Devika Chatterjee in me. It was important for me to become the character, and I am very happy and thankful that the audience liked it and they gave so much love to the film, to me,” the 44-year-old said.

Mrs. Chatterjee Vs Norway, which hit theatres on March 17, 2023, chronicles the life of a mother who fights against all odds to win back the custody of her children in a faraway land. It features an ensemble cast of Anirban Bhattacharya, Neena Gupta and Jim Sarbh in key roles.

“I think Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway is an important film in terms of what Indians go through outside our country. When this story came to me, I was myself shocked to know that a mother was treated like this and how her kids were taken away from her. As a mother, this story really touched me and I felt that this story should be told to everyone,” said Rani.

Thanking the Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival for giving her the Best Actress Award, Rani said the honour made her grateful and humbled. “It is always truly special to win an award, especially when the audiences love your work and they give you the award first through box office and then through these wonderful little mementos for the film,” she added.

Produced by Zee Studios and Emmay Entertainment, Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway grossed Rs 36.53 crore at the global box office. It collected Rs 21.67 crore nett in India.

Rani’s next film Mardaani 3 is scheduled to go on the floors this year.