Bollywood actor Celina Jaitly has opened up about one of the darkest periods of her life. She credited her friend and fellow actor Preity Zinta for standing by her during a difficult legal battle with her estranged husband Peter Haag. Celina said Preity was the only person who truly understood how broken she felt at that time.
Celina Jaitly, who married Austrian businessman Peter Haag in 2010, has been going through a tough divorce and custody fight. The 44-year-old actor recently spoke about her return to India, where she had no home and had to rely on a small group of friends for support.
Preity Zinta Stood Like a Rock for Celina Jaitly
In an interview with India Today, Celina Jaitly spoke emotionally about how Preity Zinta helped her when she needed it the most. She recalled that when she came back to India, she did not have her own house. She stayed in a hotel for 10 days, owned by a friend who gave her a discount. She had to go to court to get permission to enter her own home.
“Above all, Preity Zinta. That woman stood like a rock. She is the only one who understood how broken I was. Thanks to her, I went to Maa Baglamukhi temple in Dharamsala and Ujjain. When I went to Ujjain, I realised returning to my Sanatana dharma and my roots is my true calling.”
Celina said that while a few other people also helped her, including a director, a producer, and some of her late father’s colleagues, it was Preity who became her greatest source of strength. The two actors have been friends for many years, and Preity’s support during this tough time showed the deep bond they share.
Celina’s Painful Return to India Without a Home
Celina Jaitly described her return to India as one of the most painful chapters of her life. She had no parents to turn to, and her brother was not there either. She found comfort in only one or two friends who remained by her side.
She stayed in a hotel until she could get a court order to enter her own house. The actor said she felt like she was “living in a script that I did not sign up for”. There were nights when she woke up feeling completely exhausted and wondered how much more she could take. But she found the strength to pull herself together and face each new day.
The Legal Battle with Estranged Husband Peter Haag
Celina Jaitly’s marital troubles have been ongoing for some time. In November 2025, she filed a case against her husband Peter Haag at the Andheri Magistrate Court in Mumbai, alleging domestic violence and cruelty. She has also initiated proceedings under the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005.
In May 2026, Mumbai Police registered an FIR against Peter Haag at the Versova Police Station. The charges included cruelty, physical harm, harassment, and criminal intimidation. A Look Out Circular was also issued against him.
The couple has three children together. They had twin sons, Winston and Viraaj, born in 2012, and another son, Arthur, born in 2017. Tragically, they lost one of their twins to a heart condition in 2017. The divorce and child custody proceedings are currently happening in courts in Austria.
Legal Notices from Peter Haag and His Father
The legal situation became more complicated when Peter Haag and his father, DI Wolfgang J Haag, sent separate legal notices to Celina Jaitly. The notices accused her of making defamatory statements through interviews and social media. They demanded that the content be removed and sought a public apology.
Celina responded strongly to these notices. She called them an attempt to intimidate and silence her. She said, “Speaking about my lived experiences and pursuing lawful remedies is not defamation”. She also pointed out that the family had happily embraced publicity when it suited them, including magazine covers and interviews.
“The image of a 50-year-old man and his 75-year-old father joining forces to issue legal threats against a woman without anyone to turn to… after she gathered courage to contend with years of abuse… speaks for itself.”
Celina made it clear that she would not be intimidated. She said she was fighting for her rights and the custody of her children. She also mentioned that despite court orders, she remains without contact with her children.
Celina’s Personal Losses and Struggles
Beyond the legal battles, Celina Jaitly has faced many personal tragedies. She lost both her parents and one of her twin sons. Her brother is also in prison. She spoke about the weight of all these losses and how difficult it has been to carry them.
Despite everything, Celina said she has never wanted to give up. She described how she wakes up, gathers herself, accepts the truth, and starts all over again. Her resilience during such a difficult time has been remarkable.
Preity Zinta’s Support Extended Beyond Words
Preity Zinta’s support for Celina went beyond just words. She encouraged Celina to reconnect with her faith. Celina visited the Maa Baglamukti temple in Dharamsala and Ujjain, where she found solace. These temple visits helped her realize that returning to her roots was her true calling.
Earlier in May 2026, Celina had also joined Preity at an IPL match to cheer for the Punjab Kings, the team co-owned by Preity. She had shared an emotional post on Instagram, calling Preity the “biggest light in my darkest times”. She wrote that while the world admires Preity for her beauty and acting talent, her heart is just as stunning.
Celina Jaitly’s Comeback with Sister Nivedita
Amid all these challenges, Celina Jaitly is preparing for her return to Hindi cinema. She will be seen in the film Sister Nivedita, directed by Ram Kamal Mukherjee. The film tells the story of Sister Nivedita, a devoted disciple of Swami Vivekananda known for her work in education and women’s empowerment.
Celina called it a special project and said working with a visionary filmmaker like Ram is unlike any other acting experience for her. The film marks a significant comeback for the actor, who has been away from the big screen for several years.
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The Divorce Notice That Changed Everything
Celina also shared the painful story of how she received the divorce notice. She said it came just before her 15th wedding anniversary. Her twin sons had to read the notice to her because she did not want to translate it herself. She initially thought the letter was from the municipality and even joked with her husband about it.
The notice contained allegations against her and stated that the marriage had suffered an “irretrievable breakdown”. After the first hearing, the judge asked the couple to try for an amicable separation. Celina agreed, saying she wanted only her assets back, the money she had invested, and joint custody of the children.
She described a period of control and isolation during her marriage. Her husband lived on the top floor of the house while she stayed on the middle floor with the children. She was told to find a job if she wanted access to the children, and was even offered a job as a cleaner in a supermarket.
Fearing she would be left with nothing, Celina returned from Austria in the middle of the night with the help of neighbours. She came back to India to rebuild her life, with the support of a small circle of friends, including Preity Zinta.
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