Celina 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 father and a Afghan Hindu mother. 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.
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.
