BIOGRAPHY AND CAREERCelina Jiya Jaitley born 24 November 1981 is an Indian actress who appears in mainly Bollywood films. A former beauty queen and model, she was crowned Femina Miss India Universe in 2001.
Celina Jaitley was born in Kabul, Afghanistan to a Punjabi Hindu Army Colonel V.K. Jaitley and Meeta, an Afghan Hindu, who was a nurse in the Indian Army.Celina has a brother who is also in the Indian Army.
She wanted to grow up and join the army just like her dad, either as a pilot or a doctor.Most of her childhood was spent in different locations due to her dad being transferred in cities and towns all over India - as a result she ended up studying in over a dozen different schools.While her family was in Lucknow, she attended City Montessori School, Station Road, Lucknow. She also studied in Berhampur, Orissa. She has spent a major portion of her time in Kolkata, West Bengal where father was posted during her college days. The family is now re-settled in Kolkata. She graduated with a degree in commerce from Indira Gandhi National Open University After graduation, Celina worked in a cell phone company briefly.
In January 2011, she announced her engagement with Dubai-based Austrian businessman, hotelier and marketeer, Peter Haag. Jaitley denied her marriage rumors in December 2010 when she was in Dubai for the Christmas celebrations with Peter Haag.
Jaitley came in first place at Femina Miss India 2001 winning the title of Femina Miss India Universe 2001. In addition to her title, she won the Miss Margo Beautiful Skin, Indiatimes Surfer's Choice, and MTV's Most Wanted award. She was subsequently sent to the Miss Universe 2001 contest to represent India where she was a finalist and finished as the 4th Runner Up.
In 2003, she made her film debut in Feroz Khan's Janasheen. In 2007 Jaitley flew to New Zealand and shot her first international movie Love Has No Language, a romantic comedy. Whilst there she was targeted by a stalker who had followed her from India. Jaitley was said to be traumatized by the experience.
Jaitley is slated to play the character of a Persian princess in the film Quest of Scheherzade along with actors Sean Connery and Orlando Bloom. The film is based on Arabian Nights and will be directed by Ken Khan. This will be Celina's first venture into Hollywood. She is also the brand ambassador of Egyptian tourism and Diya Diamond Jewellery, the fastest growing jewellery brand in Indian market from Gitanjali Group.
Jaitley is also a supporter of the rights and equality of the LGBT community and supports the gay rights movement in India.
Celina Jaitley was vociferous proponent of abolition of Article 377 of Indian Penal Code (IPC), which criminalized homosexuality. The actress once stated that her first boyfriend was a closet gay, who died of bulemia induced problems. She has appeared several times on national TV channels, debating people who oppose of abolition of Article 377.
The actress recently pledged her eyes to Aditya Jyot Eye Hospital, one of the leading eye care hospitals in Mumbai. The hospital had launched the "Care for the eye" program as a social initiative aimed at supporting the cause of eye donation, as part of its 19th anniversary.
FILMOGRAPHY
Run Bhola Run (2011)
Thank You (2011)
Unusual Love Story (2010)
Hello Darling (2010) - Candy
Accident on Hill Road (2009) - Sonam Chopra
Paying Guest (2009) - Jiya
Golmaal Returns (2008) - Meera
Money Hai to Honey Hai (2008) - Shruti
Shakalaka Boom Boom (2007) - Sheena
Red (2007) - Anahita Saxena
Apna Sapna Money Money (2006) - Saania Badnaam
Tom Dick and Harry (2006)
Aksar (2006)
Jawani Diwani: A Youthful Joyride (2006) (2006) - Roma
No Entry (2005) - Sanjana
Silsiilay (2005) - Preeti
Zinda (2005) - Nisha Roy (as Celina Jaitly)
Suryam (2004) - Madhubala
Janasheen (2003) - Jessica Pereira
Khel (2003) - Saanjh Batra
