Celina Jaitly on taking a break from films: ‘For directors, I was more of a beauty queen than an actor’

Actress Celina Jaitly turned a year older on November 24. She had a wonderful day hitting the ski slopes of Austria followed by champagne and cake with family. The Free Press Journal caught up with the actress for an exclusive chat.

Celina reveals why she does not believe in having a birthday resolution. “I think if you want to change something, change it today and don’t wait until your birthday. Birthday is only for cake, champagne, celebrating your life journey and thanking your parents for bringing you into the world,” she says.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Celina Jaitly (@celinajaitlyofficial) Celina turned 41. Opening up about this phase of her life, she shares, “It’s all that I visualised for myself. I have had a blessed journey and done so much in such a short period of time.

Losing both my parents and one of our second set of twins was the only heartbreaking highlight but I learnt a lot and definitely appreciate everyday as a blessing to be felt with immense gratitude. ”Celina is quite active on social media and often shares pictures and videos with her kids — Arthur, Viraaj and Winston. When asked how she would describe herself as a mom, she says, “Being a mom is not a profession while being an actor and model is.

Both are separate and I balance them well. Motherhood is great. I continue to discover wonderful new aspects of myself.

I am a better actor, in fact, I won my first award post motherhood for my 2021 film Seasons Greetings. The biggest surprise has actually been my ‘mom voice’. I never knew I had it and it’s so loud that even the neighbours brush their teeth and get dressed.

” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Celina Jaitly (@celinajaitlyofficial) The Miss Universe runner-up made her Bollywood debut in 2003 with the film Janasheen and appeared in films like No Entry, Apna Sapna Money Money and Golmaal Returns. Celina reveals why she was away from movies. “I was more a beauty queen than an actor in the eyes of all directors.

I too was learning along the way. I had the talent within me but I didn’t know how to channel it as all my projects were only interested in the beauty queen aspect of me. That’s why I decided to take a break.

It came to a point where it started getting offensive. It was time to take a pause, rethink, reinvent and have a deeper learning of what I wanted. It took a lot of soul searching and hard work but I finally have direction now.

“Celina says she’s proud to be internationally recognised as a film and beauty icon. “I do not measure my life’s worth with only the number of films that I have done, which by the way are considerable and noteworthy. As an actress, UN Equality Champion, brand ambassador, humanitarian, activist, writer and a mom I am proud to be internationally recognised.

My lifelong work as a LGBTQIA rights activist continues to enrich my life. I am grateful for my achievements and super excited for what’s to come next,” she states. ‘What were we thinking’: Celina Jaitly shares a rare throwback picture with Priyanka ChopraThe actress reveals the kind of work she’s looking forward to doing in the future.

She explains, “Life since Seasons Greetings has been one of great confidence in my abilities as an actor. It’s a privilege to win awards and nominations not just in India but prestigious international film festivals around the world. I am finally receiving offers of all the scripts that I truly dreamt of and that as an actor is a big moment of achievement.

”She concludes, “Looking into the future, I would love to do something in German. I would love to continue doing comedies as it truly enriches the cinema goers’ lives in a positive way besides me truly enjoying comic scripts. I am keen to do biopics and a period piece as well.

Action is a genre long overdue. I think a war movie would be great considering the environment I grew up in, I would do justice to the uniform significantly. ”Celina believes the film industry has changed over the years.

“The scenario has certainly changed and the OTT platform revolution has a lot to do with it. The popularisation of digital technologies has ensured that a movie can be successful even without featuring the big names. Content indeed has become the king.

This is no more a film industry, we are now the entertainment industry. We dominate people’s homes across the globe culturally and I am so grateful to be a part of this industry,” she concludes. Amruta Khanvilkar: ‘This year has been special because of Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa and Chandramukhi’.