In a freewheeling chat, the oomphalicious actress opens up about her sex symbol status, love life and her wish to play meaningful roles.
Former beauty queen finalist, Celina Jaitley has earned the title of Bollywood sex symbol thanks to her glamorous image both on and off the screen. After having a disastrous start with films such as Khel and Janasheen, it was with her comic hits, No Entry, Tom Dick & Harry and Apna Sapna Money Money which propelled her to stardom.
Now Jaitley has spread her wings to Hollywood with Love Has No Language. She signed with management firm, Brillstein-Grey Entertainment, that represents celebrities such as Nicolas Cage, Gwyneth Paltrow, Brendan Fraser, Orlando Bloom and Natalie Portman.
She is also the tourism ambassador of Egypt. Jaitley will now be seen in Bollywood comic flick, Money Hai Toh Honey Hai (MHTHH).
Jaitley talks to tabloid! about her rise to fame.
Are you happy with your sex symbol image?
I don't have any regret having a sexy image tag. I believe whatever I have achieved so far — fans all over the world and instant recognition — is because of my glamorous image.
By just wearing skimpy clothes and accepting glamorous roles, wouldn't it limit your career as an actress?
I don't believe in unnecessary exposure and I am completely aware that you need to back your glamorous looks with efficient acting skills. I know my limits whenever I wear sexy costumes on screen and will always do what is needed of the script. In fact, I am playing a traditional girl in my forthcoming film, Golmaal Returns, and so my character and its requirements vary from film to film. I want to do films that adds depth to my character and explore my acting prowess.
Have you done any film that has given you an opportunity to showcase your acting skills?
Yes, I think my best role was in Red. It was a complex role and I got a very good feedback for my performance. Personally, I feel that I can do far better roles than what I'm offered. Hopefully, I will be able to prove myself in forthcoming films. I hope to do some meaningful women-oriented roles in the near future.
You will soon be seen in the new comedy, Money Hai Toh Honey Hai [MHTHH], which is reminiscent of your earlier film Apna Sapna Money Money. Don't you feel being typecast in similar roles and films?
My character in MHTHH is different from Apna Sapna Money Money, where I played a street-smart con woman. In MHTHH I am playing Shruti, a struggling fashion designer, who wants to design clothes for low income people. There are many stars in MHTHH as the film's plot requires many characters who are basically losers and need money.
This is your second film with Aftab Shivdasani after Red. How is your rapport with him?
I was very comfortable acting with Aftbab in MHTHH. When we did Red together we had a lot of steamy scenes and even though it was a bit uncomfortable, overall we worked very well together. Aftab is a great guy to work with and a perfect co-star.
There were rumours of you being linked with Govinda who also stars in MHTHH and supposedly insisted that you play his heroine in his forthcoming project, Garam Chai.
I was actually shocked when I heard of the rumours of being linked with Govinda during the making of MHTHH. I don't know where such stories originate from as all these rumours are baseless. I have a good working relationship with Govinda but that doesn't mean he has to recommend me for any film.
So are your currently dating anyone?
No. I am currently focusing on my career because I believe I am going through interesting stage in my professional life.
Going global
Joining the biggest management firm in Hollywood has certainly worked in favour of Bollywood actress Celina Jaitley. " I have signed with Hollywood's Brillstein-Grey Entertainment. I don't think any Bollywood star has been signed by this firm, which is a big high for me. I have got my first project with them and it is called The Quest of Sheherzade, a historical epic that recounts the tales of the legendary 1001 Nights woven by a mystical warrior princess played by myself. There are talks for some more interesting projects."
So would she cross-over completely to Hollywood? "I don't think so as I have many Bollywood projects lined up for release. After Money Hai To Honey Hai, I have Golmaal Returns. I have Subhash Ghai's Paying Guest and couple of other films with him. There is Garam Chai with Govinda and then Digmanshu Dhulia's next project. So its exciting times in Bollywood too."
