Celina Jaitley

Celina Jaitley

Jaitley in 2007
Born Celina Jiya Jaitley
24 November 1981 (age 28)[1][2]
Occupation Model, actress
Years active 2001 – present
Spouse None


Celina Jaitley (Hindi: सेलीना जेटली, Punjabi: ਸੇਲੀਨਾ ਜੇਟਲੀ; born 24 November 1981)[1][2] 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.
Early life

Celina Jaitley was born in Kabul, Afghanistan[3] to a Punjabi Hindu father[4] and a Afghan Hindu mother.[5][6][7] She has one brother who is serving the Indian army.

Her father was posted at various places in India so Jaitley grew up in several cities, including Lucknow, where she attended City Monetessori School, Station Road. 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 collegian period. She has stated in interviews that when she was young she wanted to join the army, either as a doctor or a pilot. She graduated with a degree in commerce from Indira Gandhi National Open University.[8]
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Career

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.[8]

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.[9][10][11]
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Activism

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.
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FilmographyYear Film Role Notes
2003 Janasheen Jessica Pereira
Khel Saanjh Batra
2005 Silsilay Preeti
No Entry Sanjana Saxena
Suryam Madhu Telugu-language film
2006 Jawani Diwani: A Youthful Joyride Roma Fernandes
Zinda Nisha Roy
Tom, Dick, and Harry Celina
Apna Sapna Money Money Saania Badnaam
2007 Red: The Dark Side Anahita Saxena
Shakalaka Boom Boom Sheena
Heyy Babyy Special appearance
2008 C Kkompany Item number
Money Hai Toh Honey Hai Shruti
Golmaal Returns Meera mena
2009 Paying Guests Kalpana
Accident on Hill Road Sonam Chopra
2010 Hello Darling Candy Fernandes Releasing August 20
The Quest of Scheherazade Filming
Run Bhola Run Filming
Shreemathi Sonia Kannada film
Filming
Will You Marry Me? Post- production
2011 Thank You Filming