Celina Jaitly is all set to return to the big screen with one of the most significant roles of her career. The actor will headline a biopic on Sister Nivedita, directed by filmmaker Ram Kamal Mukherjee and produced by Aritra Das Creation in association with Assorted Motion Pictures.
Sister Nivedita, born Margaret Elizabeth Noble in Ireland, was a disciple of Swami Vivekananda who dedicated her life to India. Renowned for championing women’s education, social reform and humanitarian work, she also played a key role in inspiring Indian nationalism.
Speaking to HT City, Celina opened up about portraying the iconic figure and said, “Working with a visionary filmmaker like Ram is unlike any other acting experience for me. With directors of his calibre, you don’t merely perform a character, you surrender yourself to becoming the soul of that era.” The actress revealed that her connection with Sister Nivedita began years before she ever imagined playing her on screen.
“My father was posted in Binaguri in West Bengal. My parents and I would often travel to Darjeeling with military convoys, and one of the places where we often stopped was Roy Villa, where Sister Nivedita spent her last days. My parents would walk around the grounds, and even military convoys would pause there to take in the breathtaking energy and view of Roy Villa. Looking back, I realise something about the place always moved me. I had no idea that one day, far in the future, I would be the chosen one. I now feel perhaps it was Sister Nivedita herself calling this young girl who studied in Kendriya Vidyalaya,” she shared.
Calling the film “less like a role and more like answering a calling,” Celina said she deeply admires Sister Nivedita’s unwavering commitment to India. “What moves me most about Sister Nivedita is that she was not born in India, yet she chose India in every fibre of her being. She dedicated herself completely to a civilisation, its people, its spiritual philosophy and, above all, its mission. She didn’t merely admire India, she lived for India,” the actress said.
The project also reunites Celina with Ram Kamal Mukherjee after their acclaimed collaboration on Season’s Greetings.
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