Glamorous photos, perfect holiday reels, red-carpet romance – Bollywood often sells us the illusion of flawless lives. But away from the spotlight, even stars face battles that can shake their foundations. The latest to make headlines is Celina Jaitly, once admired for her enviable family life, who has now accused her husband Peter Haag of domestic violence.
Celina Jaitly was a familiar face in the 2000s, seen in films such as No Entry, Golmaal Returns, Apna Sapna Money Money, Money Hai Toh Honey Hai, and Thank You. After marriage and motherhood, she gradually stepped away from work, taking up occasional projects but ultimately putting her acting career on pause.
On November 21, Celina submitted a petition in a Mumbai court, following which a notice has been issued to Haag. In her plea, she alleges long-term emotional, physical, sexual, and verbal abuse. She has described Haag as a “narcissist” and “self-absorbed individual” who shows “no empathy” towards her and their children.
Celina claims she was denied financial independence, “robbed of her dignity,” and “permitted” to only take up occasional small projects. She further states she had to flee their home in Austria with no support.
Her plea further notes that Haag filed for divorce in Austria earlier this year.
Represented by Karanjawala & Co., she is reportedly seeking Rs 10 lakh per month in maintenance, custody of their three children, currently with Haag in Austria and Rs 50 crore for loss of earnings and an order restraining Haag from entering her Mumbai home.
Haag is an Austrian entrepreneur and hotel industry professional with a career across the UAE and Southeast Asia. He has held senior positions with prominent luxury hotel groups, including the Emaar Hospitality Group in Dubai.
Estimates vary widely. Some lists place him among wealthy spouses in Bollywood with net worth into billions of rupees.
Other media reports suggest a figure closer to Rs 167 crore, a number yet to be independently confirmed.
Their union was almost arranged. They were introduced by family at a gathering in Dubai.
In an older post, Celina shared, “ARRANGED MARRIAGE : Contrary to what many of you believe my #austrian husband and I actually had a typical #arrangedmarriage because we were introduced to each other by family with the intention of hopefully getting married. We met in #dubai for the first time in presence of a mama, a Mami , a Masi, a cousin brother, his wife, two nieces and one nephew. We spoke for the first time with an aunt sitting between us the whole evening…We did date each other but only for a few months after our parents met…We registered our wedding in Austrian courts on 23rd September 2010 with our parents blessings…”
Celina Jaitly married Peter Haag in 2010. The couple welcomed twin boys, Winston and Viraaj, in 2012. In 2017, Celina gave birth to another set of twins, Shamsher and Arthur, one of whom died shortly after birth due to a congenital heart condition.
Celina confirmed the separation through a long Instagram caption on Tuesday night alongside her picture.
She wrote, “My priority remains fighting for my soldier brother, fighting for my children’s love, fighting for my dignity. A DV complaint has been filed against all the atrocities and abandonment perpetrated upon me.”
She also noted that due to legal proceedings, she is not allowed to make any public comments and added that for any official information, her legal team can be contacted. She concluded, “Here is to the year that will not break me. Here is to the year I rise higher than the storm. Here is to the year I reclaim everything that was taken from me.”
In a separate struggle, she has also approached a court in Delhi about her brother, Major (Retd.) Vikrant Jaitly, alleging that he has been “illegally abducted and detained” in the UAE.
She claimed that the Ministry of External Affairs has failed to secure even basic details about her brother’s condition and legal situation following his detention in September 2024. The court then directed the authorities to make efforts to enable contact between the actor and her brother, along with ensuring communication between him and his wife.
The case was presented before Judicial Magistrate S.C. Tadye on Tuesday, who then issued a notice to Haag. The matter is scheduled to be heard again on December 12.