Smita Thackeray

Smita Thackeray is an Indian social activist and film producer. She is the chairperson and founder of Rahul Productions and Mukkti Foundation. She has worked in the field of Women's Safety, HIV/AIDS awareness and education. She first ventured into Motion pictures with 1999 Indian Hindi-language comedy film Haseena Maan Jaayegi which was released in June 1999, grossing 27 crores worldwide, after which she has gone on to work in Hindi and Marathi Film and Television Industry.[1]

Smita Thackeray
स्मिता ठाकरे
Born
Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
NationalityIndian
OccupationFilm producer
Years active1997–present
Spouse(s)Jaidev Thackeray (m. 1986; div. 2004)

Early life

Smita Thackeray was born on 17 August[2] to a Middle-class Maharashtrian family in Mumbai. Her parents are Madhukar Chitre and Kunda Chitre. She attended Chhabildas Girl's High School, Dadar. As a child she was trained in Marathi Classical singing. She completed her Bachelor's in Science (BSc), with Honors from Ruparel College, Mumbai, with Botany as a major.

Career

She started out at the Centuar Hotel on a small stipend, where she handled administrative and managerial tasks.[3] Her interest in Fashion translated to NARI boutique. She went on to be the Founder and Chairperson of Mukkti Foundation in 1997. She is the owner of Rahul Productions. She was formerly the President of the Indian Motion Picture Producers Association[4] from 2002 to 2004.[5][6] During her time in IMPPA, she started a conversation around ethical screening of Films and Content on television and other media post release.[7]

Philanthropy through Mukkti Foundation
Hon' Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee receives a cheque from Smita Thackeray for drought victims of Rajasthan and Gujarat.

Smita Thackeray's aim in setting up Mukkti foundation was to raise awareness about HIV and AIDS[8] and to eradicate the menace of Drug Abuse among the youth. Between July 1999 to May 2000 Mukkti raised funds for various causes through Celebrity cricket and football matches, Rs 5 lakhs was contributed for the Gujarat cyclone relief fund (1998), Rs 50 Lakhs was contributed for bereaved Indian soldiers of kargil war, Rs 41 Lakhs was contributed for the drought victims of Rajasthan and Gujrat.[9][10] Between 1998 and 2008, Mukkti Foundation hosted its Annual AIDS Show to mark "World AIDS Day", where Film Stars and other celebrities joined hands to spread the message of AIDS Awareness.

Smita Thackeray on the Set of the Red Ribbon Show

The effort to destigmatize HIV affected individuals led to a 13 episode Television chat show hosted by Sonu Nigam in November 2000, and in 2003, three public service announcements[11] were produced starring star celebrities, Amitabh Bachchan, Waheeda Rehman and Akshay Kumar One lakh pledges were collected to support the cause of an AIDS free life in 2009 under the campaign "I Pledge" with John Abraham.[12] In December 2018, Smita Thackeray, along with stars Sunny Leone, Nisha Harale, Rohit Verma headed a 'Freedom Parade' in solidarity with the LGBTQ community who suffer the most stigma around HIV/AIDS.[13][14]

In 2014, Me Mukti Marshals, trained individuals to support Police and RPF were deployed in Mumbai trains at night to protect women in Mumbai travelling in local trains.[15]

Presidency of IMPPA

Smita Thackeray in 2001 was elected as the first female president of IMPPA.[16] Video piracy was a major issue that was killing revenue for producers, she facilitated an MOU between Film Producers and Cable TV associations in December 2001 saving the filmmakers Rs 1 crore daily an amount lost to producers due to illegal telecasting[17][18] For the first time in the history of IMPPA a fundraiser was hosted by the association called Ehsaas 2002 to raise funds for medical and education centres for spot boys and light men.[19] In 2004, Indian Producers were invited to Switzerland by The Swiss Consulate to Promote Film Making, as a sign of welcome for the Indian Cinema by the Swiss President, Mr Joseph Deiss.[20][21]

Awards and recognitions
  • Indian Motion Picture Producers Association presented an Appreciation award at the 69th Annual General Meeting on 16 September 2008.[22]
  • LR Active Oil presented Women's Prerna Award for immense contribution in Social Service and Politics to India Society in 2013.[23]
  • HEX World presented the News Makers Achievement 2010 for social contribution[24]

Personal life

Smita Thackeray is the daughter of Madhukar Chitre and Kunda Chitre. She has two sisters Swati and Sushma. She grew up in a middle class family in suburban Mumbai. She married Jaidev Thackeray, son of Bal Thackeray in 1986 and they got divorced in 2004,[25] she continued to stay in her In-laws home 'Matoshree'. She has two sons Rahul Thackeray her eldest and Aaishvary Thackeray her youngest. Rahul and Aishvary, graduated from American School of Bombay. Rahul went on graduate from Toronto Film School and is currently a Marathi and Hindi film writer/director[26][27] and filmmaker.

Filmography

Hindi motion pictures

Hindi television shows
  • Red Ribbon Show (1999) Star TV
  • Khel (2000) Sony TV
  • Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Dhoom (2004) Star Plus

Marathi television shows
  • Jhep (ETV Marathi)
  • Bhagyavidhatha (ETV Marathi)
  • Vahini Saheb (Zee Marathi)
  • Ya Sukhano Ya (Zee Marathi)
  • Kulaswamini (Star Prawah)
  • Khel Mandla (Me Marathi)
  • Paarijaat (Saam TV)
  • Done Kinare Doghe Apan (Star Prawah)

Marathi motion pictures
  • R.A.A.D.A. Rocks (2011)

Films distributed by Magic Cloud

References
  1. "From receptionist to powerful socialite, Smita Thackeray has come a long way". India Today. Retrieved 13 April 2019.
  2. "Ayushmann Khurrana, Darshan Kumaar and many celebs at Smita Thackeray's birthday". PINKVILLA. Retrieved 15 August 2018.
  3. "From receptionist to powerful socialite, Smita Thackeray has come a long way". India Today. 30 November 1999. Retrieved 30 August 2018.
  4. "Smita Thackeray has a plan. Or three". The Times of India. Retrieved 23 July 2018.
  5. "Smita Thackeray elected president of Film Federation of India". India Today. 17 December 2001. Retrieved 24 August 2018.
  6. "Smita Thackeray re-elected Impaa president". The Times of India. 22 September 2002. Retrieved 24 August 2018.
  7. "Smita Thackeray for strict action on piracy". The Times of India. Retrieved 25 July 2018.
  8. Thackeray, Smita (1 December 2017). "'Let's spread the word, not the disease': Smita Thackeray's open letter for World AIDS Day". The Indian Express. Retrieved 16 August 2018.
  9. "Smita Thackeray presents Cheque for Prime Ministers Releif Fund". The Indian Express. 19 June 2000.
  10. "Actors, cricketers play football to raise fund for Kargil martyrs". India Today. Retrieved 30 August 2018.
  11. Afsana Ahmed (21 February 2003). "Bollywood battles AIDS". The Times of India. Retrieved 31 August 2018.
  12. "John joins anti-AIDS movement". The Times of India. The Time of India (Entertainment Times). 27 November 2009. Retrieved 31 August 2018.
  13. "Freedom Parade on World AIDS Day witnesses celebrity participation". The Times of India. 2 December 2018.
  14. Bachchan, Amit (10 March 2019). "Education, Empowerment and Environment mark Smita Thackeray's Women's Day Pledge". Star World News. Retrieved 13 April 2019.
  15. "Trained women to fight offenders in local trains". Deccan Chronicle. 8 March 2014. Retrieved 23 August 2018.
  16. "Smita Thackeray is new IMPPA president". The Times of India. 23 September 2001. Retrieved 13 October 2018.
  17. 11 February, Himanshi Dhawan; February 11, 2002 ISSUE DATE; September 4, 2002UPDATED; Ist, 2012 17:49. "Bal Thackeray's daughter-in-law Smita Thackeray helps filmmakers save Rs 1 crore daily". India Today. Retrieved 28 January 2019.CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  18. Afsana Ahmed; Smrity Sharma (19 August 2002). "Smita Thackeray has a plan. Or three". The Times of India. Retrieved 30 August 2018.
  19. TNN (6 May 2002). "Shaking a leg for bollywood's sake". The Times of India. Retrieved 30 August 2018.
  20. "The Hindu Business Line : More countries wooing Bollywood to lure tourists". Business Line. Retrieved 28 January 2019.
  21. "The Hindu : Producers' paradise". The Hindu. 17 October 2003. Retrieved 30 August 2018.
  22. "IMPPA Awards". The Times of India. Retrieved 20 February 2019.
  23. "Women's Prerna Awards'13". The Times of India. Retrieved 23 August 2018.
  24. Hungama, Bollywood (4 May 2010). "Smita Thackeray received Newsmakers Achievers Awards 2010 | Parties & Events – Bollywood Hungama". Retrieved 20 February 2019.
  25. "Defiant daughter-in-law adds to Sena woes". The Telegraph. Kolkota. Retrieved 20 February 2019.
  26. Deepali S Dhingra. "Why it's films for this Thackeray grandson". The Times of India (Bombay Times).
  27. "BT Exclusive: Smita Thackeray's son Rahul to direct biopic on Bal Thackeray titled 'Saheb'". The Times of India. Retrieved 31 August 2018.
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