Kabul, Afghanistan
Occupation Model, actress
Years active 2001–present
Spouse Peter Haag (2011–present)
Children Winston and Viraaj (24th March 2012)
Website
mycelinajaitley.com
Celina Jiya Jaitley (born 24 November 1981)is an Indian actress who mainly appears in Bollywood films. A former beauty queen and model, she was crowned Femina Miss India Universe in 2001.
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 and a former beauty queen. Celina has a brother who is also in the Indian Army.
Jaitley has stated that as a child wanted to join the army just like her father, either as a pilot or a doctor. Most of her childhood was spent in different locations due to her father 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. She also studied in Berhampur in 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.[citation needed]. She graduated with a degree in commerce from Indira Gandhi National Open University. After graduation, Celina worked in a cell phone company briefly.
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 representing India where she was finished 4th runner up.
In 2001, she featured in the Jazzy B's music video of Oh Kehri, which was immensely popular. She also did videos for Bombay Viking.
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.
There were reports that Jaitley was slated to play the character of a Persian princess in the film Quest of Scheherzade along with actors Sean Connery and Orlando Bloom, and directed by Ken Khan. However, this has yet to be confirmed.
Jaitley is the brand ambassador of Egyptian tourism and Diya Diamond Jewellery from Gitanjali Group. Jaitley is a supporter of the rights and equality of the LGBT community and supports the gay rights movement in India.
Celina Jaitley in campaign organised by PETA
Personal life
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.She married Peter Haag on 23 July 2011 at a thousand year old monastery in Austria. Now she is living in Dubaiand has delivered twins on 24 March 2012.
Activism
Celina Jaitley was a 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 homosexual who died of bulimia-induced problems. She has appeared several times on national TV channels, debating people who oppose 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.