Actor Celina Jaitly is about to return to the large screen in a full-fledged role after 15 years, with an upcoming biopic on Sister Nivedita. Directed by Ram Kamal Mukherjee, the film will see Celina portray the revered spiritual disciple of Swami Vivekananda, a job the actress describes as some of the meaningful experiences of her profession.
Celina Jaitly returns to big screen after 15 years, headlines Sister Nivedita biopic: “Looks like answering a calling”
Speaking exclusively to Hindustan Times, Celina said the project has been a deeply personal journey for her, adding that working with Ram Kamal Mukherjee has been unlike any of her previous acting experiences. “Working with a visionary filmmaker like Ram is unlike another acting experience for me. With directors of his calibre, you do not merely perform a personality, you give up yourself to becoming the soul of that era,” she said.
Celina Jaitly returns to the large screen after 15 years
Sister Nivedita, born Margaret Noble in Ireland in 1867, first met Swami Vivekananda in London in 1895 before travelling to India. In 1898, she was initiated as his disciple and given the name “Nivedita.” She went on to dedicate her life to education, women’s empowerment and social service..
For Celina, portraying Sister Nivedita goes beyond playing a historical character. “Portraying Sister Nivedita feels less like a job and more like answering a calling,” she shared.
Actress recalls her childhood reference to Sister Nivedita
The actress revealed that her reference to Sister Nivedita dates back to her childhood. She recalled accompanying her parents on trips through West Bengal and Darjeeling, where they might often stop at Roy Villa, the place where Sister Nivedita spent her final days.
“My father was posted in Binaguri in West Bengal. My parents and I’d often travel to Darjeeling with military convoys, and one among the places where we regularly stopped was Roy Villa, where Sister Nivedita spent her last days. My parents would walk across the grounds, and even military convoys would pause there to absorb the breathtaking energy and consider of Roy Villa. Looking back, I realise something in regards to the place all the time moved me,” she recalled.
Celina said it was her mother who first introduced her to Sister Nivedita’s remarkable life. “I had no concept that someday, far in the longer term, I could be the chosen one. I now feel perhaps it was Sister Nivedita herself calling this young girl who studied in Kendriya Vidyalaya,” she said.
Reflecting on her own life, the actress also spoke about reconnecting along with her roots after spending a few years in Europe. “Life has a remarkable way of connecting dots which only make sense later. After spending 15 years in Europe, coming to India, back to my roots, Sanatan Dharma, rediscovering myself not only as an actor but additionally as a human being… there may be a stupendous saying that resonates deeply with me: Maa Kali doesn’t break you to punish you, she breaks you so she will be able to make you whole again.”
“She selected India in every fiber of her being”
“What moves me most about Sister Nivedita is that she was not born in India, yet she selected India in every fiber of her being. She dedicated herself completely to a civilisation, its people, its spiritual philosophy, and above all, its mission. She merely didn’t admire India, she lived for India,” she said.
The actress also praised Sister Nivedita’s commitment to women’s education and nation-building. “As a lady, I find her courage deeply inspiring, even given my very own personal agonies that I even have been navigating recently. She championed women’s education, worked tirelessly during epidemics, championed scientific thought, and believed empowering women was essential to constructing a strong nation,” Celina concluded.
The makers are yet to announce the discharge date of the upcoming Celina Jaitly starrer.
Also Read: Celina Jaitly BREAKS SILENCE after Peter Haag and father-in-law sent legal notices; calls it “an try to divert attention”
BOLLYWOOD NEWS – LIVE UPDATES
Catch us for contemporary Bollywood News, Recent Bollywood Movies update, Box office collection, Recent Movies Release , Bollywood News Hindi, Entertainment News, Bollywood Live News Today & Upcoming Movies 2026 and stay updated with latest hindi movies only on Bollywood Hungama.