Producer Celina Jaitly in an open interview described her own resilience journey and financial independence for women. She told the story of how her marriage was abusive and when she received the divorce notice, the only demand was for her to regain her own assets and get joint custody of her child. Celina said she had no interest in alimony or financial support from her ex‑husband but only wanted what she had invested.
She was forced to sell property worth ₹20 crore and didn’t have access to her premarital assets or her own money during the marriage, she said. She was an established actress at the time but married a marketing director in Dubai, not a multimillionaire, so it isn’t as if actresses only marry those with money— even if they are successful. That’s the kind of thing that financial control is a tool of abuse to women all the time, which is what makes them vulnerable even if they’re successful.
Celina strongly advised young women to safeguard their financial independence by signing a prenup before marriage and keeping their assets separate. She said love, care, promises of togetherness and family experiences are what matter but financial security wins out in the end of a life in which you are able to get out of toxic situations. This is in line with the rising awareness in India that marriages need to be protected and secured for women who bring huge assets to the relationship.
Celina thought about her heartbreak and realized that all that emotion and shared experiences came down to assets. And her story is such a powerful reminder that financial independence is not just wealth, but dignity, freedom and the ability to decide. As she has spoken about her struggle, she touched the lives of many women and has provided an opportunity to bring up women’s rights, financial literacy and the importance of safeguarding one’s assets in marriage. She has a message for women to consider independence and security in the face of love and companionship that is so very attractive.
