45.125.69.140: /* Early life */

2021-07-05T10:25:50Z

Early life

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{{short description|Indian social activist and film producer}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2019}}

{{Infobox person
| name = Smita Thackeray
| image = Smita Thackeray.jpg
| native_name = स्मिता ठाकरे
| birth_place = [[Mumbai]], Maharashtra, India
| nationality = Indian
| occupation = Film producer
| years_active = 1997–present
| spouse = Jaidev Thackeray (m. 1986; div. 2004)
}}

'''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 in India|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 Cinema|Marathi Film]] and Television Industry.<ref>{{cite news |title=From receptionist to powerful socialite, Smita Thackeray has come a long way |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/profile/story/19990712-from-receptionist-to-powerful-socialite-smita-thackeray-has-come-a-long-way-824557-1999-11-30 |accessdate=13 April 2019 |work=India Today }}</ref>

== Early life ==
Smita Thackeray was born on 17 August 1958 <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pinkvilla.com/entertainment/photos/339541/ayushmann-khurrana-darshan-kumaar-and-many-celebs-smita-thackeray-s|title=Ayushmann Khurrana, Darshan Kumaar and many celebs at Smita Thackeray's birthday|website=PINKVILLA|accessdate=15 August 2018}}</ref> to a Middle-class [[Marathi people|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 [[Hindustani classical music|Marathi Classical singing.]] She completed her Bachelor's in Science (BSc), with Honors from [[Ruparel College]], Mumbai, with [[Botany]] as a major.{{citation needed|date=April 2019}}

== Career ==
She started out at the Centuar Hotel on a small stipend, where she handled administrative and managerial tasks.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/profile/story/19990712-from-receptionist-to-powerful-socialite-smita-thackeray-has-come-a-long-way-824557-1999-11-30|title=From receptionist to powerful socialite, Smita Thackeray has come a long way|date=30 November 1999|work=India Today|accessdate=30 August 2018}}</ref> 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<ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/bombay-times/Smita-Thackeray-has-a-plan-Or-three/articleshow/19586582.cms|title=Smita Thackeray has a plan. Or three|website=The Times of India|accessdate=23 July 2018}}</ref> from 2002 to 2004.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/signposts/story/20011217-smita-thackeray-elected-president-of-film-federation-of-india-774865-2001-12-17|title=Smita Thackeray elected president of Film Federation of India|date=17 December 2001|website=India Today|accessdate=24 August 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Smita-Thackeray-re-elected-Impaa-president/articleshow/23492599.cms|title=Smita Thackeray re-elected Impaa president|date=22 September 2002|accessdate=24 August 2018|work=The Times of India}}</ref> During her time in IMPPA, she started a conversation around ethical screening of Films and Content on television and other media post release.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/Smita-Thackeray-for-strict-action-on-piracy/articleshow/21002818.cms|title=Smita Thackeray for strict action on piracy|website=The Times of India|accessdate=25 July 2018}}</ref>

=== Philanthropy through Mukkti Foundation ===
[[File:Hon' Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee receives a cheque from Smita Thackeray for drought victims of Rajasthan and Gujarat.jpg|thumb|270x270px|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<ref>{{cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/lifestyle/health/world-aids-day-lets-spread-the-word-not-the-disease-smita-thackerays-open-letter-4962354/|title='Let's spread the word, not the disease': Smita Thackeray's open letter for World AIDS Day|last1=Thackeray|first1=Smita|date=1 December 2017|website=The Indian Express|accessdate=16 August 2018}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news|title=Smita Thackeray presents Cheque for Prime Ministers Releif Fund|date=19 June 2000|work=The Indian Express}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/indiascope/story/19990726-actors-cricketers-play-football-to-raise-fund-for-kargil-martyrs-824476-1999-07-26|title=Actors, cricketers play football to raise fund for Kargil martyrs|work=India Today|accessdate=30 August 2018}}</ref> 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.[[File:Smita Thackeray on the Set of the Red Ribbon Show.jpg|thumb|365x365px|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<ref>{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/lucknow-times/Bollywood-battles-AIDS/articleshow/38110288.cms|title=Bollywood battles AIDS|author1=Afsana Ahmed|date=21 February 2003|work=The Times of India|accessdate=31 August 2018}}</ref> 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 (actor)|John Abraham]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/John-joins-anti-AIDS-movement/articleshow/5271523.cms|title=John joins anti-AIDS movement|date=27 November 2009|work=The Times of India|accessdate=31 August 2018|publisher=The Time of India (Entertainment Times)}}</ref> In December 2018, Smita Thackeray, along with stars [[Sunny Leone]], Nisha Harale, Rohit Verma headed a 'Freedom Parade' in solidarity with the [[LGBT]]Q community who suffer the most stigma around [[HIV/AIDS]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/events/mumbai/freedom-parade-on-world-aids-day-witnesses-celebrity-participation/articleshow/66905227.cms|title=Freedom Parade on World AIDS Day witnesses celebrity participation|date=2 December 2018|work=The Times of India}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Bachchan |first1=Amit |title=Education, Empowerment and Environment mark Smita Thackeray's Women's Day Pledge |url=http://www.starworldnews.co/education-empowerment-environment-mark-smita-thackerays-womens-day-pledge/ |website=Star World News |accessdate=13 April 2019 |date=10 March 2019}}</ref>

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.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/140308/lifestyle-offbeat/article/trained-women-fight-offenders-local-trains|title=Trained women to fight offenders in local trains|date=8 March 2014|work=Deccan Chronicle|accessdate=23 August 2018}}</ref>

=== Presidency of IMPPA ===
Smita Thackeray in 2001 was elected as the first female president of IMPPA.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/Smita-Thackeray-is-new-IMPPA-president/articleshow/967274543.cms|title=Smita Thackeray is new IMPPA president|date=23 September 2001|accessdate=13 October 2018|work=The Times of India}}</ref> 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<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/society-the-arts/films/story/20020211-bal-thackeray-daughter-in-law-smita-thackeray-helps-filmmakers-save-rs-1-crore-daily-795866-2002-02-11|title=Bal Thackeray's daughter-in-law Smita Thackeray helps filmmakers save Rs 1 crore daily|last=11 February|first=Himanshi Dhawan|last2=February 11|first2=2002 ISSUE DATE|website=India Today|access-date=28 January 2019|last3=September 4|first3=2002UPDATED|last4=Ist|first4=2012 17:49}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/bombay-times/Smita-Thackeray-has-a-plan-Or-three/articleshow/19586582.cms|title=Smita Thackeray has a plan. Or three|author1=Afsana Ahmed|date=19 August 2002|work=The Times of India|accessdate=30 August 2018|author2=Smrity Sharma}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/bombay-times/Shaking-a-leg-for-bollywoods-sake/articleshow/8983324.cms|title=Shaking a leg for bollywood's sake|author1=TNN|date=6 May 2002|work=The Times of India|accessdate=30 August 2018}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2004/08/20/stories/2004082001910600.htm|title=The Hindu Business Line : More countries wooing Bollywood to lure tourists|website=Business Line|access-date=28 January 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/fr/2003/10/17/stories/2003101700630100.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041120123226/http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/fr/2003/10/17/stories/2003101700630100.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=20 November 2004|title=Producers' paradise|date=17 October 2003|work=[[The Hindu]]|accessdate=30 August 2018}}</ref>

== Awards and recognitions ==

* Indian Motion Picture Producers Association presented an Appreciation award at the 69th Annual General Meeting on 16 September 2008.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://photogallery.indiatimes.com/events/mumbai/imppa-awards/articleshow/3541233.cms|title=IMPPA Awards|website=The Times of India|access-date=20 February 2019}}</ref>
* LR Active Oil presented Women's Prerna Award for immense contribution in Social Service and Politics to India Society in 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://photogallery.indiatimes.com/awards/awards-and-honours/womens-prerna-awards13/articleshow/19474028.cms|title=Women's Prerna Awards'13|website=The Times of India|accessdate=23 August 2018}}</ref>
* HEX World presented the News Makers Achievement 2010 for social contribution<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/parties-and-events/smita-thackeray-received-newsmakers-achievers-awards-2010/|title=Smita Thackeray received Newsmakers Achievers Awards 2010 {{!}} Parties & Events – Bollywood Hungama|last=Hungama|first=Bollywood|date=4 May 2010|access-date=20 February 2019}}</ref>

== 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,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/defiant-daughter-in-law-adds-to-sena-woes/cid/574808|title=Defiant daughter-in-law adds to Sena woes|website=The Telegraph|location=Kolkota|access-date=20 February 2019}}</ref> 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<ref>{{cite news|title=Why it's films for this Thackeray grandson|author1=Deepali S Dhingra|work=The Times of India|issue=Bombay Times}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/BT-Exclusive-Smita-Thackerays-son-Rahul-to-direct-biopic-on-Bal-Thackeray-titled-Saheb/articleshow/48501954.cms|title=BT Exclusive: Smita Thackeray's son Rahul to direct biopic on Bal Thackeray titled 'Saheb' |work=The Times of India|accessdate=31 August 2018}}</ref> and filmmaker.

== Filmography ==

=== Films produced under Rahul Productions ===

==== Hindi motion pictures ====

* [[Haseena Maan Jaayegi]] (1999)
* [[Sandwich (2006 film)|Sandwich]] (2006)
* Kaisay Kahein (2007)
* Society Kaam Se Gayi (2011)
* Hum Jo Keh Na Paaye (2005)

==== 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 ===

* [[Ugly (film)|Ugly]] (2013)
* [[The Shaukeens]] (2014)
* [[Fugly (film)|Fugly]] (2014)
* [[Hate Story 2]] (2014)
* [[Ragini MMS 2]] (2014)
* [[Roy (2015 film)|Roy]] (2015)
* [[All Is Well (2015 film)|All is Well]] (2015)
* [[Baby (2015 Hindi film)|Baby]] (2015)
* [[Begum Jaan]] (2017)
* Dhyanimani (2017)

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
*[http://mukktifoundation.org Mukkti Foundation]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Thackeray, Smita}}
[[Category:Film producers from Mumbai]]
[[Category:Indian film distributors]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Hindi film producers]]
[[Category:Marathi film producers]]
[[Category:Year of birth missing (living people)]]

Smita Thackeray - Revision history

45.125.69.140: /* Early life */