Celina Jiya Jaitley was born in Simla, India on June 9, 1981 to Punjabi-speaking Indian Army Colonel V.K. Jaitley and Meeta, an Afghani Beauty Queen-cum- Psychologist, specializing in children's problems. Celina has a brother who is also in the Indian Army.
She wanted to grow up and join the army just like her dad, either as a Pilot or a Doctor. Most of her childhood was spent in different locations due to her dad being transferred in cities and towns all over India - as a result she ended up studying in over a dozen different schools. The family is now re-settled in Kolkatta.
Celina shot to fame when she won a local beauty contest, and thus encouraged, submitted her photos and profile to the organizers of the Miss India Contest; she was admitted in the competition, and went to be crowned Miss India for 2001. Thereafter she went on to represent India in the Miss Universe Contest, and ended up being the 4th runner-up, up ahead of 79 of the contestants. 
She then appeared in several videos, including 'Zara Nazron Se Kehdo' by the Bombay Vikings. Her debut on the tinsel Bollywood screen commenced with Feroz Khan's Janasheen in 2003 opposite Fardeen Khan and since then she has gone on to appear in 11 more movies. 
Did you know …
