Exclusive | ‘Sister Nibedita’: Celina Jaitly to Play Social Reformer and Spiritual Icon In Ram Kamal Mukherjee’s Biopic

Actor Celina Vikram Jaitly and filmmaker Ram Kamal Mukherjee are teaming on Sister Nibedita, a biographical drama on the life of Irish-Indian educator and spiritual leader Sister Nibedita. Produced by Aritra Das Creation in association with Assorted Motion Pictures, the Hindi-language film will mark Celina Jaitly’s return to the big screen. Born Margaret Elizabeth Noble in Ireland, Sister Nibedita became one of the closest disciples of Swami Vivekananda, who gave her the honorific Nivedita (meaning 'devoted to God'). She dedicated her life to the upliftment of the Indian masses through her work in education, women’s empowerment and social reform, while becoming a central figure in the early nationalist movement in the late 19th century. The film traces her journey from an Irish-born educator to a key figure in India’s cultural and spiritual movements, while exploring her relationship with Vivekananda. Mukherjee, a former journalist and magazine editor who won the National Film Award for his short film Ek Dua in 2023, said he had long wanted to bring Sister Nibedita’s story to screen. The filmmaker had previously directed the biographical drama Binodiini: Ekti Natir Upakhyan, on legendary Bengali theatre artist Binodini Dasi, which was set in the same historical epoch. “While making Binodiini, I was reading books on Ramkrishna and Swami Vivekananda. That's when I came across the wonderful journey of Sister Nibedita. I revisited her story and decided to make a movie. I am glad to have Celina as my leading lady, who would understand the pain and passion of woman's self-sacrifice,” Mukherjee said in a statement. Jaitly said the role held personal significance for her. “As a little girl, I wandered through the peaceful grounds of Sister Nibedita’s last home in Darjeeling, never knowing that one day I would be entrusted with bringing Margaret Noble’s extraordinary life to audiences around the world. With the blessings of Swami Vivekananda and Ramakrishna Mission, I take a sacred vow to give every ounce of my heart and soul to portraying Sister Nibedita,” she stated. The makers unveiled the film’s first look on July 4, coinciding with the 124th death anniversary of Swami Vivekananda. The forthcoming biopic on Sister Nibedita is planned as an international production to be shot across Mumbai, Kolkata, London and Ireland. Mukherjee has reunited with composers Sourendra-Soumyajit following Binodiini: Ekti Natir Upakhyan for the film's music. Ipsita Acharya has penned the story and screenplay.