From winning a pageant to performing in blockbusters, Celina has found her voice both as a celebrity and as a crusader for LGBTQIA++ rights. She has been vocal about her support for the marginalized and the silenced. As a recipient of the Harvey Milk Foundation’s Lilla Watson Award (as a trans and LGBTQIA+ activist), her objective is simple: “I use my power and influence for… doing ‘meaningful work.”
By disclosing her personal struggles—suffering from endometriosis and dysmenorrhea during her teens, and her battle with depression after losing her parents, Dr.Meeta Jaitly and Colonel V. K. Jaitly, and her baby son Samsher Jaitly Haag in quick succession—Celina has laid bare her vulnerability to help others find strength. “I show my scars so others can also heal,” she says.
Today, she’s embracing the best of both worlds. While she travels extensively for her professional pursuits, she returns to her tranquil home in lush Austria. Together with her husband, entrepreneur Peter Haag, they are gifting their twins, Winston and Viraaj, and younger son Arthur, a ‘green childhood’. Both Celina and Peter believe that nurturing is best done in nature, where life’s lessons unfold with the seasons.
The revelation about suffering from endometriosis and dysmenorrhea while you were modeling highlighted unspoken women’s issues.
I was told by my advisors and peers, “Why are you telling your story for free? Speak only if you get paid.” But I wasn’t endorsing a brand. I was sharing my journey of pain and shame from suffering endometriosis, which led to dysmenorrhea. Once, at the age of 16, I sat in a pool of blood at a fashion show. I don’t want any girl to experience what I went through. Not everyone has access to healthcare, family, or peer support. So, by talking about it, I hope to make a difference.
Being part of the LGBTQIA movement, you were ‘threatened’ and also faced loss of work and financial distress. What made you hang on?
It’s difficult to understand the realities of discrimination without experiencing them firsthand. Being in the fashion industry was an eye-opener. The sad stories of many LGBTQIA friends and colleagues caused unbearable pain. The last straw was when a mother figure from the trans community in Kolkata died in a tragic accident. One has to be either blind or incompetent not to notice the prejudice. The irony is that this exists in the world’s largest democracy. Historically, our cultural heritage has never shown intolerance against LGBTQIA++. It’s rare to have a straight ally like me stand up. Activism is not always rewarding. From being questioned about my own sexuality to receiving threats from extremists and being dropped from friend circles and film projects, I’ve experienced it all. However, my life lessons encouraged me to face these challenges. It’s also difficult to accept credit for what is a collective process, one that involves supporting each other for human rights and equality.
What made you move away from showbiz to settle with hotelier/entrepreneur Peter Haag in Austria in 2011?
Honestly, I didn’t move away. I just wanted to take a break from the back-breaking work I had been doing since the age of 15. I needed respite from the constant critique and judgment. I love cinema and cannot live without it, but I needed to find the true performer within me. I achieved that with my comeback film, Ram Kamal Mukherjee’s Season’s Greetings – A Tribute to Rituporno Ghosh (2019), for which I won the Filmfare (Middle East) and IWMBUZZ awards for Best Actress, along with international accolades.
Music is also a talent you revel in…
I lent my voice to a song for the first time years ago for the United Nations Free & Equal campaign for LGBTQIA equality, before Section 377 was repealed. I sang Lata Mangeshkarji’s Uthey Sab Ke Kadam as a cover (titled The Welcome in 2014), recreated by Neeraj Shreedhar of Bombay Vikings. At that time, no prominent singer wanted to associate with an anthem for LGBTQIA equality. I stepped in, not only to lend my voice as a singer but to make an impact, ensuring the message would be 'heard' by millions.
Also, my late mother, Dr.Meeta Jaitly, wanted me to embrace both singing and acting again. Rendering the cover of Falak Shabir’s Ijazat on my birthday last year was a way of fulfilling some of her last wishes. On the occasion of my film Jawani Diwani: A Youthful Joyride completing 17 years, which coincided with Valentine’s Day, I reprised the film’s track Sini Ne Sini Ne (originally sung and composed by Suhaas Shetty). With millions of views on the covers I’ve sung, I am looking forward to releasing my first single in the near future.
Speaking about depression after the loss of your parents and your son, Samsher Jaitly Haag (in 2018), was a way of normalizing the discourse around mental health. Do you agree?
I show my scars so others know they can heal too. I had support, but millions have none to help them through such tragedies. Overcoming depression is a lifelong commitment. People carry it deep inside, knowing it's shattering their very being. So, do get help, eliminate those who bring you down or add negativity to your life, and exercise – believe me, it helps! I can sum it up by saying, "The broken will always be able to love harder... because once you've been in the dark, you learn to appreciate everything that shines."
How do you view life after grief?
Enduring loss can reveal reservoirs of strength in you. Navigating the darkness forces you to adapt, cope, and continue living despite sorrow. The ability to survive hardship fortifies your resilience. Grief shifts your perspective to what truly matters in life. The things you once stressed over may seem trivial, helping you focus on meaningful pursuits and relationships.
You’re giving a ‘green childhood’ to your older twins, Winston and Viraaj, and younger son, Arthur, in Austria. How has this enriched their growing years?
Growing up in the mountains of Kumaon (Uttarakhand), Kashmir, Himachal, and Arunachal Pradesh in India were some of the happiest times of my life. I learned to embrace my uniqueness as a 'pahadi' child. My grandfather taught me about plant species, while my mother taught me about animals, conservation, and forest fairies.
My husband Peter, being Austrian from the Alpine region of Europe, had a similar upbringing. Therefore, both of us hold a strong belief, now validated by research, that experiences with nature promote children's cognitive development and emotional well-being. Access to the outdoors, fresh air, fresh food, and a simple lifestyle is the best you can give kids. It was also important to us that our children grow away from the 'star-kids' tag and develop their own individuality and achievements.
In a technology-driven era, how do you strike a balance between screen time and other activities for them?
Technology is integral to growth and development. Peter and I believe it’s not about strict rules or deprivation but rather finding a balance. We lead by example and foster a healthy relationship with technology, promoting overall well-being for our children.
Do you miss the buzzing life of a movie star, the flashbulbs, and the fans?
I’ve been in the limelight since I was 15, so this is a welcome respite. I often travel to Mumbai and internationally for professional engagements, which makes up for any missing drama. It’s pretty amusing to arrive at Mumbai airport to an entourage of managers, makeup and hair artists, stylists, PR teams... waiting to take over every aspect of your life. One moment, you’re hiking up a snow-clad mountain in snow boots to fetch your baby from kindergarten, and the next, you’re being readied by a team or addressing a press conference at the United Nations. I love the contrast.
What is your regular day in Austria like?
Living in an Austrian mountain village is like stepping into a postcard world — a peaceful, scenic, and close-knit experience far removed from the hustle of city life. You're surrounded by snow-capped mountains, lush valleys, and crystal-clear lakes. The beauty of the Alps changes with the seasons — from vibrant greenery in summer to snow-dusted peaks in winter. Life here is a blend of stardom and responsibilities as a mom, wife, actor, activist, and influencer. Since I've ventured into music, a lot of my time is spent in my studio as well.