In the midst of a harrowing family ordeal, Bollywood actress Celina Jaitly experienced a touching moment of solidarity from an army sister that reminded her she’s not alone. Her brother, retired Major Vikrant Kumar Jaitly, has been detained in the UAE for several years, casting a long shadow over the family’s life.
On Wednesday, Celina shared a heartfelt Instagram post featuring a photo of herself draped in a stunning stone grey kantha sari, adorned with intricate parrot embroidery. The gesture came from a woman from an army family, who not only gifted her the sari but also helped her wear it with the tenderness of a protective sibling.
‘I forgot what it feels like to receive a sari from a sister amid life’s chaos,’ Celina wrote. ‘She draped it on me, pinned it securely, pleated it perfectly, and wrapped it around like a shield of safety.’ The army sister went further, slipping bangles on her wrists, adjusting her earrings, snapping photos, fixing the pallu, and even applying a bindi on her forehead.
These simple acts stirred deep emotions in Celina. ‘It hit me that I’m not alone,’ she shared. The sari, a memento from the woman’s husband’s posting in Bengal, transported Celina back to her childhood. ‘It reminded me of my mother lovingly pulling out her kantha sari, not just fabric but a wrap of love and pride. After so long, that peace returned.’
Hailing from Kumaoni roots, Celina attributes her inner strength to the grace of Nanda Devi and the nurturing embrace of the mountains. ‘Sometimes solace arrives quietly—in sari pleats, bangles, and a sister’s love. Feeling safe under the shadow of loved ones. Love you, Sameera.’
Celina comes from a proud military lineage. Her father, Colonel Vikram Kumar Jaitly, was a Punjabi Hindu Indian Army officer, her mother Meeta an Afghan Hindu army nurse, and her brother a retired major now facing detention in the UAE. This poignant exchange underscores the unbreakable bonds within army families, offering Celina a glimmer of hope and warmth in tough times.