Rani Mukerji Shines at IIFA, Advocates for Indian Women's Stories

Bollywood star Rani Mukerji emphasizes the importance of portraying Indian women through her films. Her latest, 'Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway,' which narrates the story of an immigrant mother’s legal battle for her children’s custody, earned her the best actress award at the IIFA Awards 2024.

Bollywood star Rani Mukerji has reiterated her commitment to highlighting the various facets of Indian women through her cinematic work, with her latest film, "Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway," making significant waves.

The Hindi film, which details the harrowing story of an immigrant mother embroiled in a lengthy legal dispute over her children's custody, won Mukerji the best performance in a leading role (female) at the prestigious IIFA Awards 2024 on Saturday night.

In a continuation of her dedication to compelling storytelling, Mukerji is set to return as the formidable cop Shivani Shivaji Roy in the third installment of the action thriller "Mardaani" franchise.

"I select scripts that resonate with me as an Indian woman, showcasing the myriad strengths and resilience of Indian women to the world while also being aspirational and inspiring," she said at the awards ceremony.

The film "Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway," which is based on a true story, deeply moved Mukerji and proved to be an "eye-opener," igniting conversations about motherhood and Indian cultural expectations.

"We, as mothers, always strive for the best for our children, and it's crucial to portray these narratives," said Mukerji, who is also a mother to a nine-year-old daughter, Adira.

Since its theatrical release in March, "Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway" has emerged as a box-office success, garnering acclaim particularly for Mukerji's dynamic performance.

"I wanted this story to reach as many people as possible. The fact that my role was nominated at IIFA underscores the global resonance and acceptance of the film," Mukerji noted.

On the topic of more women-led films, Mukerji emphasized the responsibility of audiences in driving demand.

"The more the audience supports and watches such films, the more they will be created," she concluded.

(With inputs from agencies.)