Showing posts with label Celina Jaitly children. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Celina Jaitly children. Show all posts
Celina Jaitly reveals her twins had to read her ‘terrible divorce notice’
9:35 AM
HINDUSTAN TIMES (July 6, 2026)
Celina Jaitly is currently caught in a divorce battle with estranged husband Peter Haag, and it has been a difficult time especially for her kids. The actor recently revealed that her 14-year-old twins, Winston and Viraaj, had to read out the divorce papers to her due to language issues.
Celina shared that her husband took her to the post office to collect some documents. She thought they were about her residency as they were in German, but Peter refused to translate. So, when she reached home, she had to ask her twins to read it to her. “My twins had to read that terrible divorce notice in which there were all sorts of weird allegations against me. I was being divorced for not being enough for my husband’s needs and for the irretrievable breakdown of our marriage. I thought it was a joke,” the 44-year-old told India Today.
Celina further revealed that she wanted joint custody of their kids — twin boys Winston and Viraaj (born in 2012) and son Arthur (born in 2017) — but her husband’s lawyer told her to find a job in Austria if she wanted access to the children.
I had been battling an unhealthy marriage; returned to India to rescue myself-Celina Jaitly
10:04 AM
Onkar Kulkarni (BOMBAY TIMES; December 18, 2025)
“I had to rescue myself, my dignity and my self-respect,” says Celina Jaitly as she returns to India. Married in 2010 and based in Austria for years, the actress is back in Mumbai amid a turbulent personal chapter. She has filed a domestic violence case against her husband, Peter Haag, and is also grappling with the crisis of her brother Major (retired) Vikrant Jaitly being detained in the UAE since 2024. In an exclusive interview with us, Celina speaks about this trying phase of her life, asserting that she intends to stand her ground and fight with dignity through it all.
On social media, you would post fun videos with your kids – Winston, Viraaj, Arthur. However, at home, it seems the story was far from rosy. You recently admitted that there have been cracks in your marriage for years. How long have you been living in an unhappy marriage?
What appears on social media is only a fragment of real life. I had been battling an unhealthy marriage for several years before it became visible to the outside world. Like many women, I tried to preserve some sense of normalcy for my children while navigating very difficult realities in private.
Do you regret being in a bad marriage for so many years and do you wish you had moved back to India sooner?
I don’t regret trying to keep my family together because my intentions were always sincere. Losing both my parents made me deeply insecure about walking away and standing up for myself. I had already lost my emotional anchors, and I feared losing everything else – my financial independence and above all, my children. I felt an overwhelming responsibility to give them a stable home, to respect the culture they had grown up in, and to ensure they did not have to be abruptly pulled away from an environment that felt like home - their schools, routines and their entire world. All of that had to be protected before I could even think of protecting myself.
You lost both your parents in 2018. Is your brother your only immediate family apart from your kids?
Apart from my children and my brother, I also have my 95-year-old grandmother, who I love deeply and others who I have not been closely in touch. I did reach out to some of them, but unfortunately, they chose to distance themselves from the situation for reasons best known to them. This journey has revealed who truly stands by you when life becomes difficult.
Your brother, Major (retd) Vikrant Kumar Jaitly has been detained in Abu Dhabi since last September. Has it been a lone battle to free him? What’s the development? When was the last time you spoke to him?
I am not entirely alone, but I am the one relentlessly pursuing every possible legal and diplomatic avenue. The matter is extremely sensitive and ongoing, and I must be cautious about the details. The lack of free communication with my brother has been one of the most painful aspects of this ordeal.
Tell us about your relationship with your brother. Would you talk to him about the troubles you were facing in your marriage?
We laughed together, cried together, joked endlessly, and we stood shoulder to shoulder, while caring for our dying parents. Those experiences forged a bond that goes beyond words. Yes, he was absolutely my strength. I turned to him when my marriage was falling apart. He listened without judgement, grounded me, and reminded me of who I was when I began doubting myself.
Are you back in India to start afresh?
Returning to India was not optional; it was essential. I had to rescue myself, my dignity, and my self-respect. After being served a divorce notice under the pretext of collecting a gift ordered for me at the post office, I was deeply shaken to realize that further efforts were being made to strip me of my independence even after the marriage had ended. Returning to my home ground allowed me to stand tall, fight with my head held high, and reclaim my voice.
Are you planning to make a comeback to acting?
My work is not just a profession, it is a form of expression. I am deeply grateful for it because, in many ways, my work is rescuing me on multiple levels emotionally, financially, and psychologically. It restores my sense of agency and purpose.
You have been going through testing times in the past few years. How have these experiences reshaped your understanding of inner strength and self-worth?
The last few years stripped me of everything that was superficial and forced me to confront who I am at my core. I learned that inner strength is quiet and consistent, not performative. Self-worth today comes from knowing that I stood up for myself, my children, and my family values even when it was frightening to do so.
Celina Jaitly accuses husband of domestic violence, property fraud; seeks damages worth Rs. 50 cr
9:22 AM
MUMBAI MIRROR (November 26, 2025)
Actor Celina Jaitly has alleged that her husband, 48-year-old Austrian resident Peter Haag, “weaponized” their children during their ongoing marital dispute – a charge she has placed at the centre of a newly filed domestic violence petition.
In her complaint, Jaitly, 47, claims Haag used the children to emotionally pressure her, including an incident on November 14 where he allegedly orchestrated a video call in which the children appeared anxious, avoided eye contact, and seemed to be receiving cues off-camera.
Jaitly, describing the episode as “painful”, later wrote to their schools seeking updates on the children’s wellbeing and now has sought meaningful virtual access to them under Section 21 of the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act (PWDVA).
Jaitly, on Tuesday, submitted chat transcripts and audio recordings to support her allegations. In these exchanges, she is heard pleading with Haag to follow basic hygiene, telling him he “stank of sweat” and was setting a poor example for their children. Haag allegedly dismissed her concerns, called her a “lunatic,” and repeatedly threatened divorce.
Her petition, filed under the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005 (PWDVA), accuses Haag of emotional abuse, intimidation, and financial coercion. The complaint was presented for verification before Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC) SC Tayade in Andheri, marking the first procedural step before the court considers protection and residence orders.
A major portion of the petition centres on the couple’s Versova apartment, which Jaitly claims was wrongfully taken from her after Haag allegedly pressured her into signing a gift deed in 2019. She says she now fears Haag may attempt, from abroad, to use legal mechanisms to evict her or sell the property.
Sessions Court has now issued an interim status quo order, preventing any change in ownership or possession until the next hearing. Jaitly has also sought a residence order under Section 19 of the PWDVA, requesting that Haag be barred from entering the flat or disturbing her possession of it.
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Rebecca Samervel (THE TIMES OF INDIA; November 25, 2025)
Mumbai: Celina Jaitly Haag, a former Miss India and Bollywood actor, has initiated legal proceedings against her husband, Peter Haag, under the Domestic Violence Act. The couple, married for 14 years, is embroiled in a contentious dispute, with Celina accusing Peter, an Austrian national, of making racist remarks and undermining her financial independence and dignity.
Represented by Karanjawala & Co, Celina is seeking Rs 10 lakh in monthly maintenance and Rs 50 crore in compensation. She claims that Peter restricted her from pursuing her Bollywood career, forcing her into lesser roles to cover personal expenses. The family, after living in Mumbai, Dubai and Singapore, eventually settled in a remote Austrian village. According to the plea, Celina was left without access to money or transportation in this isolated location, and Peter allegedly belittled her by suggesting she find work as a cleaner in the village.
The complaint further details an incident on Sept 3, when Peter allegedly served her a divorce notice in a "calculated and deceitful" manner. The divorce proceedings were filed by Peter in Austria. Celina claims that Peter tricked her into accompanying him to the post office under the pretence of collecting a "gift". Upon presenting her ID, she received a sealed German envelope, which Peter dismissed as routine correspondence. It was only at home, with the help of her 13-year-old twin sons, that she discovered it was a divorce notice. Celina also alleges that Peter offered no support during her brother's detention in the UAE.
The first divorce hearing on Sept 22, 2025, was reportedly distressing for Celina. She claims Peter attended in his wedding suit, which she perceived as an attempt to cause emotional harm. Additionally, she struggled to understand the "high-level German" proceedings and received inadequate assistance from the court-appointed interpreter, for which she was charged a €500 (Rs 50,000) fee. Celina felt victimized by a perceived racial and cultural bias within the Austrian judicial process, exacerbated by Peter's legal representative allegedly belittling and intimidating her in court.
Celina's complaint also highlights consistent verbal and emotional abuse, including racist and degrading remarks. She claims Peter frequently used profanity and referred to her as his "maidservant" or "the help". The plea states that Celina, a mother of three, is currently unemployed and unable to afford legal representation. It alleges that Peter has blocked her access to their children, who are in his custody in Austria, and seeks an order for unhindered virtual and telephonic access to them. The complaint was presented before SC Tadye, Judicial Magistrate First Class, Andheri, who issued a notice to Peter. The next hearing is scheduled for Dec 12.
Celina's complaint details a marriage registered on Sept 18, 2010, claiming her career and finances were systematically dismantled by Peter. She alleges he misappropriated Rs 1.26 lakh from her Versova flat's rental income and pressured her into signing a gift deed for the property while she was undergoing "severe depression" following the tragic death of her newborn twin son, Shamsher, and both her parents within a few months of each other.
The plea describes Peter as narcissistic and self-absorbed, with a short temper and alcoholic tendencies, accusing him of emotional, physical, verbal, and financial abuse. The complaint alleges that the abuse was so severe that Celina was eventually forced to "flee the home of the parties in Austria in the middle of the night" to return to India, leaving behind her three children.
Citing physical abuse, the complaint alleges an incident in Singapore where, after she asked him to wash feeding bottles, a drunk Peter struck her hard on her back, leaving a handprint. She was also physically pushed out of the apartment three weeks post-partum in Dubai after asking him to extend his paternity leave. She also alleged that a smartwatch worn by her began recording their exchange when Peter was allegedly aggressive with her in 2024.
Celina has also filed a civil suit in the Dindoshi civil court to cancel a gift deed transferring her Versova flat to Peter. The matter is pending for hearing and final disposal.
Peter's documents submitted as part of legal proceedings in Austria claimed that Celina is primarily interested in outward appearances, physical appearance, public image, and the attention she receives. The document is part of Celina's complaint in Mumbai.
Peter alleges that her main ambition is focused on this, leading to her devoting herself "extensively to her own beauty care and fitness". She is accused of having a "highly escalatory nature," "quarrelsomeness," "erratic behaviour and aggression, screaming, and anger." Peter also accused her of failing to achieve a higher German language level due to her "lack of commitment and willingness to learn". He alleged that he had to take over "almost all of the household management and childcare duties," including schooling and medical administration, to cope with her behaviour.
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Vinay MR Mishra (BOMBAY TIMES; November 25, 2025)
Actor Celina Jaitly has moved to a Mumbai court, accusing her husband, Austrian businessman Peter Haag, of domestic violence, financial coercion, and emotional cruelty. The application, filed under the Domestic Violence Act, has been admitted before the Judicial Magistrate in Andheri, and a notice has been issued to Haag, returnable on December 12.
Speaking to Bombay Times, Jaitly’s lawyer Niharika Karanjawala Misra confirmed the status of proceedings. “The case is before the regional magistrate in Andheri in Mumbai. It is a domestic violence case, and a notice has been issued returnable by 12 December.”
Misra said Jaitly approached her legal team earlier this month. “She reached out to us in November itself, and we filed the case on the 21st of November. The violence has been sort of on and off through them. It’s been continual through the marriage, unfortunately," she told us.
Jaitly has also sought financial relief with an alimony of Rs. 50 crores, which her lawyer confirms. “We have made a claim for alimony and for money required, as it was her funds primarily that were supporting the couple, her savings through the marriage. In 2017, Mr. Haag coercively induced her to transfer her Mumbai property to him in a gift deed. So, there is a separate civil litigation pending in Bombay for the reversal of that deed. And we also believe that this is money owed to her. They also purchased certain properties together in Vienna that he had sold without her knowledge," Misra told us.
Furthermore, Misra reveals to us that it was Jaitly's husband Haag who filed for the divorce first. “There’s also a divorce case pending in Austria filed by Mr. Peter Haag. He filed it earlier this year," she says.
On what could be the reason behind him filing for a divorce, the lawyer says, “Earlier this year… a fight broke out due to the fact that she discovered that he had sold their Vienna property. He has now filed against her in the court in Austria and is attempting to try and prove that he does not have to split any of the property with her, as he is blaming her for the breakdown of their marriage in the Austrian court. Something that we believe is very unfair. She even asked him to do a divorce by mutual consent for the sake of the children, but he was not willing to do that.”
The December 12 appearance will determine the next steps in the Mumbai case. “I think he will take time in order to file written submission giving his version of events, as he is in Austria," the lawyer adds.
Jaitly and Haag married in 2011 and are parents to three sons. Jaitly, known for films such as No Entry, Apna Sapna Money Money, Money Hai Toh Honey Hai, Golmaal Returns, and Thank You, moved to Austria post her wedding.
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Deep Saxena (HINDUSTAN TIMES; November 25, 2025)
Actor Celina Jaitly has reportedly filed a domestic violence case against her husband Peter Haag in Mumbai seeking damages, child custody, and maintenance. Celina, who married the Austrian entrepreneur and hotelier on September 18, 2010, also alleges that he fraudulently took her property in India and sold their jointly-owned property in Austria.
Celina’s counsel Rytim Vohra Ahuja of Karanjawala and Company Advocates, told HT City says: “We have filed for virtual and telephonic access to their three children Winston, Viraaj and Arthur, maintenance of Rs. 10 lakh per month and damages of Rs. 50 crore for the physical and mental trauma caused to her.”
Ahuja adds, “During this period, Celina lost both her parents and in the same period she lost her child (Samsher), while she was in depression and her husband forcefully took the property via gift deed. We have filed a suit for cancellation of the gift deed.”
The Mumbai court has issued notice to Haag, with the next hearing on December 12. Celina returned to India on October 11, while the children remain with her husband. She hasn’t filed for divorce, though Haag did it in Austria earlier this year. Celina shared on social media her struggle during this turbulent period. HT City could not reach Haag for comment.
My message to all trolls and bullies is that no one heals themselves by wounding another-Celina Jaitly
10:22 AM
Navya Kharbanda (HINDUSTAN TIMES; March 10, 2024)
Celebs are no strangers to trolling. Just a few days before International Women’s Day (March 8), actor Celina Jaitly took to Instagram to share a letter talking about her most trolled photograph.
The image, capturing Jaitly in a swimsuit while breastfeeding one of her twins, prompted negative comments questioning her parenting choices.
She recalls that she “was in utter disbelief” when this happened. The actor adds, “No matter how much you love and care for your children, it can be difficult to hear criticism about your parenting. While the bikini had a lot to do with the trolling, I was also attacked for placing one of my twin babies next to me and not holding him in my arms.”
Last month, Jaitly, who took to social media to talk about the Israel-Hamas war, was subjected to comments like ‘Your job is to wear a bikini rather than comment on international affairs’.
The 42-year-old feels that it is high time people started respecting women and their choices. “No matter how much we have achieved in our lives, we have to defend every stance constantly and are judged for everything we do. But my message to all trolls and bullies is that no one heals themselves by wounding another,” the actor ends.
Celina Jaitly rues unavailability of Covid vaccines for children
8:03 AM
Titas Chowdhury (HINDUSTAN TIMES; December 4, 2021)
Austria has gone under a nationwide lockdown owing to the spread of the new variant of the Coronavirus. Actor Celina Jaitly Haag, who lives in an Austrian Alpine village, with her husband and sons, believes that it is a “good and sensible decision to avoid an impending fifth wave during Christmas tourism season”. However, she worries about her children who are yet to be vaccinated.
“Peter and I are both vaccinated, plus we have had a booster. But there’s no vaccine for children below the age of 12 and the stupidity of the ‘anti-vaccine community’ puts all others and children at risk. All our boys are below the age of 12 and we live in constant fear,” she shares.
But what majorly concerns the actor is education being affected due to repeated lockdowns. “Schooling has suffered around the world and even though schools are still open in Austria, we’re worried about the virus. Not just school but sport is also very important for the overall development of children. However, team sports have suffered a massive setback,” she explains.
Quiz if she’s worried about the lockdown dampening Christmas spirits and Haag says, “Life in the Austrian Alps makes up for all that is lacking. The snow-capped mountains and fir trees are a constant reminder of all that we can be grateful for, specifically to Mother Nature who provides ample reassurance of good tidings.”
The 40-year-old says that her family is more prepared to face a crisis this time around. “My husband is an expert in crisis management and supplies were kept as a contingency against another lockdown. The good thing is that Austria became the first European country to make Covid vaccination a legal requirement. Hopefully, things will return to normal after this,” Haag ends.
I don’t look at age, I look at accomplishments and achievements, says Celina Jaitly as she turns 40
7:52 AM
Juhi Chakraborty (HINDUSTAN TIMES; November 24, 2021)
On her 40th birthday, actor-humanitarian Celina Jaitly is in a reflective mood and is counting her blessings, while also looking back at a fulfilling journey that she had so far.
“By 40 I have proudly achieved so much. I became a supermodel at age of 15, went on to win Miss India, Miss Universe runner-up at 19, was launched by the great Feroz Khan in films, done some fabulous films, became a UN Goodwill Ambassador, fought for LGBTA equality, won international awards, married an Austrian (Peter Haag), gave birth to two sets of twins and I won a best performance award just two weeks before I turn 40. It’s a great legacy to look back at and amazing motivation towards what the future holds,” she shares.
And while she knows that birthdays come with this whole thing about growing a year older, she is not worried. “I don’t look at age, I look at accomplishments and achievements,” she adds.
As for her plans for this special milestone birthday, the actor says she will be celebrating it in Europe at their family alpine estate.
“We have an amazing high altitude hike planned, just the five of us — me, my husband and three sons, followed by an intimate evening with wine and cake,” she says.
Jaitly tied the knot with hotelier Peter Haag and the two welcomed their first set of twins — Winston and Viraaj in 2012. Jaitly again gave birth to twin boys, Shamsher and Arthur, in 2017 but the former couldn’t survive.
She says that her birthday celebrations have changed after having kids. “Birthdays aren’t just about that person. They’re about celebrating the entire family and giving thanks that they are in our life and vice versa,” she ends.
I miss everything about Christmas in Kolkata-Celina Jaitly
8:31 AM
Ruman Ganguly (BOMBAY TIMES; December 25, 2020)
Celina Jaitly Haag, who is in Austria with her family currently, will celebrate Christmas at home as Europe is in lockdown mode. “We have all had a tough time this year, but we must still try to celebrate the little joys in life. This year, we will all be at home. I am looking forward to the special Christmas turkey that my husband, Peter, prepares every year. There will be loads of fondue for my kids, too. I’ll also be baking the Christmas cake and cookies,” she shares.
Celina, who has spent a major portion of her childhood in Kolkata, has loads of Xmas memories from the City of Joy. Reminiscing the Christmas revelry, she says, “From buying Christmas trees from an elderly Chinese uncle in New Market, getting delicious cakes from a Jewish bakery, the dazzle of Park Street to getting together with friends at old British clubs, I miss everything about Christmas in Kolkata. The slight nip in the air gives you that tingly feeling of Christmas cheer. I am so grateful for all the Christmas celebrations with my sons and husband in a picture-perfect Alpine home in Austria, but Kolkata will always hold my mother’s laughter, the clink of ice in my father’s crystal glass, my best friend Viraaj’s crazy Christmas plans and seeking blessing from Mother Teresa at her residence.”
She adds, “No amount of joyful European snow-capped cheer can stop you from missing the warmth of your mother’s shawl at a Christmas party in Fort William.”
Crediting her roots for the person she has become today, Celina says, “I wish to pass on my culture to my children.”
Due to proximity to Italian borders, we are taking extreme measures-Celina Jaitly
8:34 AM
With public gatherings restricted in Austria following the coronavirus outbreak, the actress and her family are confined to their estate. She is making the most of this forced break to bond with family
Onkar Kulkarni (BOMBAY TIMES; March 20, 2020)
For the past few years, actress Celina Jaitley has been enjoying a quiet life away from the limelight in Austria, with her entrepreneur-hotelier husband Peter Haag and sons Winston, Viraaj and Arthur. However, the Coronavirus pandemic has left the family rattled, especially due to their proximity to Italy, one of the countries that’s heavily hit by COVID-19. Celina tells BT, “Due to proximity to Italian borders, everyone is taking extreme measures to follow the government’s directions. Even as I am worried about the way the virus is spreading, I am relieved that our estate is located high on the Alps.”Celina says that she’s thankful for her husband’s foresight. “We were prepared well in advance — even prior to Austria’s chancellor announcing restrictions on movement in public places on Sunday. As of now, we can only leave the house for urgent work, to buy necessary food supplies or to help others. All roads and malls are deserted,” she shares.
While city-dwellers have no option other than self-isolation, the actress feels fortunate that she gets to enjoy the greens around her estate. She says, “Though we are under curfew, we have brooks, orchards, gardens and a winter garden within our property.”
The actress, who has been a part of films like No Entry, Golmaal Returns and Thank You, is also using this forced break to teach her children about India. She elaborates, “I am taking great pleasure in homeschooling the boys and teaching them Sanskrit and Hindi, besides their school curriculum. I am also educating them about ancient and modern Indian history.”
She signs off saying, “This time with my family has truly helped me get over my parents’ untimely demise last year.”
Celebrating our Armed Forces doesn’t mean we’re promoting nuclear war-Celina Jaitly
8:52 AM
Actress and UN human rights equality activist Celina Jaitly opens up in the wake of Priyanka Chopra being accused of encouraging nuclear war through her tweet. She also talks about her army background and return to films
Renuka Vyavahare (BOMBAY TIMES; August 25, 2019)
You haven’t been in the public eye for a while now. What have you been up to?I have been through massive ups and downs in the last three years, but I guess that’s life. But now, I am looking forward to the release of my next film — Season’s Greetings, which is tribute to filmmaker Rituparno Ghosh. I tragically lost both my parents last year and the script of this film came along at a time when I was going through an emotional crisis. It helped me sail through the turbulent waters. It’s also special because, this was the first time that I got to shoot a film in Kolkata, a city that I consider my hometown. It brought back a lot of memories. I have spent my childhood all around India, but I spent considerable amount of time in Kolkata owing to the fact that my father was posted there. Kolkata reminds me of my struggling days, as I started off my modelling career there. At heart, I am a Bengali, and I hope the people of the city adopt me as one of them. I will always be a Kolkata girl.
Priyanka Chopra has been associated with UNICEF for over a decade now. Pakistan’s Minister for Human Rights Shireen Mazari sent a letter to UN on August 20, seeking her removal as their Goodwill Ambassador. She was accused of ‘encouraging nuclear war against Pakistan’, by a Pakistani-American influencer who was present at a beauty event in Los Angeles, where PC was invited as a guest. She called Priyanka a hypocrite and claimed that an old tweet of the actress supported the Indian Army and thus, encouraged war. What’s your take on this issue?
Priyanka’s simple tribute to the Armed Forces was completely blown out of proportion by a wannabe influencer. Celebrating our Armed Forces does not mean we are promoting nuclear war! Do you expect us to stop saying Jai Hind or dismiss the contribution of generations of our Armed Forces? This whole thing was unfair to Priyanka. I think it was done to evoke a hyper reaction from her, but she handled it with so much grace and dignity. First and foremost, we are Indians. Priyanka’s parents have served as doctors in the Armed Forces and four generations of my family have been in the Army. We are proud citizens of this country who stand united behind our armed forces. This does not mean we are propagating nuclear war! We are eternally grateful to the valiant services of our Armed Forces in keeping us safe and secure. India has always been a global ambassador of peace.
Do you think this was an attempt by a person to grab eyeballs and attention on social media by targeting a celebrity?
A dignified celebration of our Armed Forces’ dedication and selfless service does not mean in any way that one is encouraging nukes. Anyone who misconstrues the intent needs a reality check. This is just an insinuation by a wannabe instagrammer who wanted to increase her followers. Celebrities are often attacked on social media on baseless grounds to garner publicity. Voicing your opinion at a cosmetic event at a UN ambassador who talks about human rights does not make you a propagator of peace. You cannot accuse someone of encouraging nuclear war only because they respect their Armed Forces! Every patriot does that. There is not an iota of doubt that in order to achieve sustainable growth and development all over the world, we need to prioritise peace over war. Peace is often defined as the absence of violence, conflict, hostility and war. We can always propagate peace, but peace is not merely the absence of violence, but also vanquishing of oppression and terrorism if needed. I hate to say this, but sometimes war is needed to sustain peace... it goes both ways. Peace also comes at a cost. There is no history of continued peace in the world unless war intervened to maintain that peace. Even a soldier does not want war, but he has to go and defend his country.
Last year, in a landmark judgement, the Supreme Court scrapped Section 377 of the IPC. You are a strong advocate of the LGBTQIA rights. Hereon, where do you see things heading?
Many people from the LGBTQIA community have played an important role in my life. I started my career at 16 and all through these years, they have had a strong impact on me. In fact, they had such a strong influence on me that it made me stand up for what is right even before I joined the UN to support this movement of equal rights. Activism is a long process as changing mindsets is not easy. We have come a long way as we have finally overthrown an archaic law.
You married Austrian hotelier Peter Haag in 2011. How easy or tough was it initially to embrace the cultural differences?
I believe that marriage in itself is a work in progress, no matter who you are married to or which culture you are married into. I was very fortunate that my husband is an expatriate who came from a family of expats. He is openminded and was keen to embrace our Indian culture. Embracing each other’s culture is crucial in a cross-cultural marriage. Peter has taken a liking to all the crazy things I do in India. He likes street food like vada pav and paani puri. I love cooking and over the years, I have embraced cooking Austrian food in a massive way. He is Austrian, I am Indian and we have lived in places like Dubai and Singapore, and now, we are back in Europe for a while. Travel helps you evolve so much as a human being. Your children grow up as global citizens, which is fascinating because you see them imbibe different traditions and cultures. As an actor you think that you have seen it all and done it all. But no, the truth is that you haven’t. Once you live in different parts of the world, you grow by leaps and bounds.
It must be interesting to see your kids soaking in both the cultures. Moving your base from place to place has its challenges, but on the other hand, it could amount to life changing experiences for them. Do you agree?
Our kids are multilingual. Peter speaks with them in German and I speak to them in Bengali, Hindi and English. Coming from an army background, a lot of Hinglish was spoken at home. So yes, they definitely understand and speak Hindi, but not too fluently, as they have been studying in a German medium school. But the good thing is that, they have understanding of both our cultures. They look forward to festivals like Diwali and Holi. They ask for mithai after having a perfect German meal. It’s funny to overhear their conversations. The twins tell their friends from Austria, China and Japan what a paani puri is all about. They say, “It’s a ball filled with spicy water”.
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