Actress Celina Jaitley is all set to return to the big screen in a full-fledged role after 15 years with the upcoming biopic on sister Nivedita. Directed by Ram Kamal Mukherjee, Celina will play the role of a revered spiritual disciple of Swami Vivekananda, a role the actress describes as one of the most meaningful experiences of her career.
Celina Jaitley returns to the big screen after 15 years, Sister Nivedita’s biopic in headlines: “Feels like answering a calling”
Speaking exclusively to Hindustan Times, Celina said that this project has been an extremely personal journey for her, adding that working with Ram Kamal Mukherjee has been different from her previous acting experiences. He said, “Working with a visionary filmmaker like Ram is unlike any other acting experience I have had. With directors of his caliber, you don’t just play a character, you dedicate yourself to becoming the soul of that era.”
Celina Jaitley is returning to the big screen after 15 years
Sister Nivedita, born Margaret Noble in Ireland in 1867, met Swami Vivekananda for the first time in London in 1895 before traveling to India. In 1898, she was initiated as his disciple and was named “Nivedita”. She dedicated her life to education, women empowerment and social service.
For Celina, playing Sister Nivedita is much more than playing a historical character. “Playing Sister Nivedita feels less like a role and more like answering a calling,” she shared.
The actress recalls her childhood relationship with sister Nivedita
The actress revealed that her relationship with sister Nivedita dates back to childhood. He recalled trips with his parents to West Bengal and Darjeeling, where they often stayed at Roy Villa, the place where Sister Nivedita spent her last days.
“My father was posted in Binaguri, West Bengal. My parents and I would often travel to Darjeeling with military convoys, and one of the places we often stopped was Roy Villa, where Sister Nivedita spent her last days. My parents would walk around the grounds, and even the military convoys would stop there to take in the breathtaking energy and view of Roy Villa. Looking back, I realize that Something about that place always appealed to me,” she recalled.
Celina said it was her mother who first introduced her to the remarkable life of Sister Nivedita. She said, “I had no idea that one day, in the not-too-distant future, I would be selected. I think now that perhaps it was Sister Nivedita who was calling this young girl studying in Kendriya Vidyalaya.”
Reflecting on her life, the actress also talked about reconnecting with her roots after spending several years in Europe. “Life has an amazing way of connecting the dots that only make sense later. Coming to India, after spending 15 years in Europe, coming back to my roots, Sanatana Dharma, reinventing myself not only as an actor but as a human being… There is a beautiful saying that resonates deeply with me: Maa Kali does not break you to punish, she breaks you so that she can make you whole again.”
“They chose India in every aspect of their existence”
He said, “What impressed me most about Sister Nivedita is that she was not born in India, yet she chose India in every aspect of her existence. She devoted herself entirely to a civilization, its people, its spiritual philosophy and, above all, its mission. She did not merely admire India, she lived for India.”
The actress also praised Sister Nivedita’s commitment towards women’s education and nation building. Celina concluded, “As a woman, I find her courage extremely inspiring, even considering my own personal sufferings that I have been struggling with recently. She advocated women’s education, worked tirelessly during the pandemic, advocated scientific ideas and believed that empowering women was essential to building a powerful nation.”
The makers have not yet announced the release date of the upcoming film starring Celina Jaitley.
