In an interview with PTI, Celina spoke about how her brother’s prolonged detention has overshadowed all the other struggles she faces, including what she described as a deeply abusive marriage. His brother was allegedly detained in the United Arab Emirates in 2024 and the family has reportedly been unable to establish any contact with him since.
Calina Jaitly talks about her abusive marriage
Talking about her marriage, Calina Jaitly said, “I was in a very abusive and bad marriage. But you do everything you can to make your marriage work when you have children. When you don’t have parents, when you no longer have your assets, you do everything you can to keep your marriage working for your children.”
Celina revealed that after fleeing her home in Austria and returning to India on October 11, she was almost completely isolated from her three children. “I have not been able to communicate with my children since I arrived here. After obtaining a court order from the Austrian High Court, I was able to speak to my children, but that too was abruptly stopped within two minutes. Since I escaped to India, I have spoken to my children only twice,” she said.
Celina on separation from her children
The actress spoke about the emotional toll of being separated from her children. “I keep thinking about what my children are going through, what they are being put through. I don’t know what they think of their mother. They are little, they can be influenced. Maybe one day, when they grow up, they will understand their mother’s trial. But right now I have to choose which battle to fight, and my brother takes priority,” Celina shared.
Legal fight to access his house in Mumbai
Speaking about her financial problems, Celina Jaitly revealed that she had to fight legally for access to her own Bombay home. “When I came to Mumbai, I did not have access to the house I built in 2004 through my own hard work. I had to go to court to get access to my own house,” he said.
Recalling the moment when he re-entered the house after 15 years, he said, “This house, which once had luxury cars, four parking spaces, the best furniture, my parents and I entered without furniture, without cars, without money and without my parents. I returned to India after 15 years and imagine, the only family you have is your brother, and you have to fight just to hear his voice and know where he is.”
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When asked why she currently has no money despite a successful film career, Celina didn’t hesitate. “It was fifteen years of marriage. Fifteen years of giving up your career. Fifteen years of trusting someone with your love, your finances, your property… that’s what happened,” she said.
Support from the film industry
The actress also spoke about the support she has received and the silence she has encountered from the film industry during this period.
“I wouldn’t delegate it to just one industry. It’s human nature. Human nature prevails everywhere. There are people in the industry who are by my side and have been a great support to me now. When you are really stuck in the doldrums, you come to know who is on your side, who are your real friends. I realized that I have neither friends nor family. Complete strangers have come and stood by us like a rock. Our own people have abandoned us.”
Celina expressed special gratitude towards actress Preity Zinta, who reached out to her amid the turmoil. “She is Fauji’s daughter and sister. I have great respect, courage and dignity for this incredible woman,” he said.
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While acknowledging the calls and messages of support from various actors and directors, Celina underlined the limits of what the film fraternity can do. “Many people in the industry have called me and given me their support. But they can only do this. Ultimately, this is a procedure that can only happen through diplomatic lines,” he said, referring to his brother’s detention.
Celina denounces domestic violence by her husband Peter Hag
Celina Jaitly submitted an application under the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act of 2005, alleging severe emotional, physical, verbal and financial abuse by her husband, Peter Haag, “to the extent that she was forced to flee” her home in Austria in the middle of the night and return to India, leaving her children behind. He also alleged that Haag blocked his access to the children, preventing an interaction on Nov. 14, and sought instructions for “unimpeded virtual and telephone access” to them. The plea further states that Haag has initiated divorce proceedings in Austria, where her marriage was registered under Austrian civil law in 2010.