Celina Jaitly was born in Shimla, India, to a Punjabi-Indian father, Colonel V.K. Jaitly, a retired Indian Army colonel, and an Afghan Hindu mother, Meeta, who is a child psychologist and a beauty queen. Her mother's Afghan Hindu heritage adds a unique cultural dimension to Celina's upbringing. Celina has one brother, who serves in the Indian Army Special Force, following in their father's footsteps.
Celina's childhood was marked by a nomadic lifestyle, as her family moved frequently due to her father's military service. She attended the prestigious City Montessori School in Lucknow, but spent most of her formative years in the Kashmir valley and the north eastern states of India. She also spent some years in Berhampur, Orissa, and has strong ties to Kolkata, India, where she has spent a significant part of her life.
As a teenager, Celina was inspired to join the Indian Army, either as a doctor or a pilot. However, fate had other plans. She began modeling alongside her studies at the age of 16 and was soon discovered for her natural beauty and stunning looks. Celina's modeling career led her to participate in the 2001 Ms India pageant, which she won, and subsequently, she became a runner-up at the Ms Universe pageant the same year.
In 2003, Celina's acting career took off when she was discovered by the renowned actor and director Feroz Khan, who offered her the lead role in her debut film, 'Janasheen'. Since then, she has appeared in numerous films, including the comedy hit 'Golmaal Returns', for which she won several awards for her performance.
Celina is a passionate activist and spokesperson for the LGBT movement in India. She has been involved in various initiatives concerning human rights, women and children's health, and sex workers rehabilitation in India for the past decade. Her commitment to social causes has earned her recognition and respect across the country.
In 2010, Celina was honored to be a member of the esteemed jury at the Cairo Film Festival, solidifying her reputation as a talented and influential figure in the Indian film industry.
