Celina Jaitly remembers late son Shamsher on his birthday

Celina Jaitly marked her late son Shamsher’s birthday with an emotional Instagram post, sharing a video from a visit to Austria and reflecting on the depth of her grief.

In the caption, she wrote, “My wish is that when my life reaches its natural end, I be cremated in my homeland, India, & my ashes be laid to rest with my son, Shamsher, in Austria. A mother’s wish to be close to the child she could not hold for long enough.”

She explained why she recorded the video during the Austria visit, saying she did not get to see her brothers during that trip and that she remains heartbroken yet steadfast, carrying all four of her children in her heart: “I did not get to see your brothers during that visit. Mummy is heartbroken, my son, but Mummy is strong. I keep going & keep living for your brothers, carrying all four of you in my heart.” “Today, you were born alongside Arthu. You left us so soon afterwards, but you have never left me.”

She also reflected on the bond between Shamsher and his brothers, writing, “I have seen the longing for you in Arthu’s eyes & heard it in his words. I believe you watch over him. And somehow, through everything, I feel you watching over me too.”

Addressing the broader strain of family life, she wrote, “I left my country, my parents, my work & everything familiar to build a life with my family. Today, I sometimes feel as though I must explain in words & documents what has lived in every breath of me since becoming a mother. “How does a mother put a lifetime of love in front of a court?””

She later apologized for expressing such feelings via a recording, noting, “I am sorry, my darling, that I have to say this through a recording. I wish I could speak to your brothers directly & remind them myself: Mummy is always here. My love has never moved away from you. None of you has to do anything to earn it. It is yours, forever. Happy birthday, my darling Shamsher & my darling Arthu. I will always be the mother of both the babies I brought into this world that day. Watch over Winston, Viraaj & Arthu, my son, while Mummy keeps finding the strength to move forward. Until we meet again, my darling Shamsher. Until we meet again. Forever your Mummy.”

Celina is married to Austrian entrepreneur and hotelier Peter Haag. The couple welcomed twin boys in March 2012; in 2017 they welcomed another set of twin boys, but Shamsher died shortly after birth due to a heart defect.

In the legal realm, she filed a case in November 2025 under the Domestic Violence Act against her husband in a Mumbai court, seeking damages of Rs 50 crores, monthly maintenance of Rs 10 lakh and custody of their children.

Her brother, Major (Retd.) Vikrant Jaitly, was detained in the UAE in September 2024 in connection with an alleged national security matter. The Delhi High Court later directed the Ministry of External Affairs to extend legal assistance to him in November 2025.

For context, the Bollywood Hungama report on her post is available here: the Bollywood Hungama feature.

Editorial note: DPIFF will continue monitoring Celina Jaitly’s family story and related entertainment developments. For ongoing coverage, head to DPIFF News or DPIFF Newsroom as new updates emerge.