Rani Mukerji has been awarded her first National Award for Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway, calling it a significant acknowledgment of her three decades in the industry.
Published: September 23, 2025 6:23 PM IST
After more than three decades in Bollywood, Rani Mukerji finally secured the National Film Award for Best Actress for her performance in Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway. The announcement came as part of the 71st National Film Awards, which were declared in August 2025 in New Delhi, recognising films certified during the 2023 calendar year and now she has finally received it from the honorable President Droupadi Murmu, marking a historic moment.
How did Rani Mukerji react?
Rani Mukerji expressed heartfelt gratitude after her prestigious win, saying she was overwhelmed with emotion. She shared, “I’m overwhelmed to have won the National Award for my performance in Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway. Incidentally, this is the first-ever National Award in my 30-year career. I’m grateful to the jury for honoring my performance. I share this achievement with the whole team, producers Nikkhil Advani, Monisha, Madhu, my director Ashima Chibber, and everyone involved in this special project that beautifully showcased the strength of motherhood.”
71st National Awards: Rani Mukerji gets Best Actress award for ‘Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway’
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What made her role stand out?
In Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway, Rani plays Debika Chatterjee, a mother caught in a heart‑wrenching real‑life battle with Norway’s child welfare system over misunderstandings grounded in cultural differences. Her performance is charged with emotion: there’s grief, fierce love, quiet patience, and a mother’s determination that refuses to give up. Critics praised her for bringing depth to Debika’s character, showing how motherhood, when challenged by institutional barriers, becomes both personal and political.
More about Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway
Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway performed steadily at the box office, earning praise not only for its story but also for its commercial success. The film attracted audiences with its emotional narrative and strong performances, especially Rani Mukerji’s acclaimed role. It managed to hold well in multiplexes and single-screen theaters, drawing viewers who connected with its real-life inspired plot.
Story Highlights
- Rani Mukerji won her first National Film Award for Best Actress for Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway at the 71st National Film Awards.
- She expressed deep gratitude, dedicating the award to the entire team behind the film.
- The film’s story is based on a real-life struggle, highlighting cultural clashes in Norway’s child welfare system.
- Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway was both critically acclaimed and commercially successful, resonating well with audiences.
After over 30 years in Bollywood, Rani Mukerji’s powerful performance in Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway finally earned her the National Film Award for Best Actress. The film’s emotional and real-life inspired story connected with audiences and critics alike, marking a significant moment in her career.
