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Smita Thackeray

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Smita Thackeray
Born
Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
NationalityIndian
OccupationFilm producer
Years active1997–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's Safety, HIV/AIDS awareness and education. She made her motion picture debut in the 1999 Hindi-language comedy film Haseena Maan Jaayegi which was released in June 1999, grossing INR 27 crores worldwide. Since then she went on to work extensively in the Hindi and Marathi film and television industry.[1]

Early life

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Smita Thackeray was born on 17 August 1958[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 Genetics as a major.[citation needed]

Career

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Thackeray first worked at the Centuar Hotel where she handled administrative and managerial tasks for a small stipend.[3] Her interest in fashion translated to NARI boutique.[clarification needed] She went on to be the founder and chairperson of Mukkti Foundation in 1997. She is the owner of Rahul Productions. She was the President of the Indian Motion Picture Producers Association (IMPPA)[4] from 2001 to 2003.[5][6] During her time in IMPPA, she started conversations around piracy and redistribution of media, specifically concerning ethical screening of films and content on television and other media post-release.[7]

Philanthropy through Mukkti Foundation

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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 abate youth drug abuse. From July 1999 to May 2000, Mukkti raised funds for its various causes through celebrity cricket and football matches. INR 5 lakhs was contributed[clarification needed] for the Gujarat cyclone relief fund (1998), INR 50 lakhs was contributed for bereaved Indian soldiers of the Kargil War, INR 41 lakhs was contributed for the drought victims of Rajasthan and Gujarat.[9][10] Between 1998 and 2008, Mukkti Foundation hosted its annual AIDS show to celebrate "World AIDS Day," where film stars and other celebrities would make appearances to spread the message of AIDS awareness.

Smita Thackeray on the Set of the Red Ribbon Show

The effort to humanize HIV-affected individuals led to a 13-episode television chat show hosted by Sonu Nigam in November 2000. In 2003, three public service announcements[11] were produced starring celebrities such as Amitabh Bachchan, Waheeda Rehman and Akshay Kumar. One-lakh pledges were collected in 2009 to support the cause of AIDS-free living 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 LGBT community.[13][14]

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

Presidency of IMPPA

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Smita Thackeray in 2001 was elected as the first female president of IMPPA.[16] At the time, video piracy was a major issue that was killing revenue for producers.[citation needed] She facilitated an MOU between film producers and cable TV associations in December 2001 that saved filmmakers INR 1 crore daily - an amount previously 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 and as a sign of welcome for Indian cinema workers by the Swiss President, Mr. Joseph Deiss.[20][21]

Awards and recognitions

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  • Indian Motion Picture Producers Association presented an Appreciation award at the 69th Annual General Meeting on 16 September 2008.[22][clarification needed]
  • 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

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Smita Thackeray is the daughter of Madhukar Chitre and Kunda Chitre. She has two sisters, named 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 divorced in 2004,[25] though she continued to stay in her In-laws home 'Matoshree'.[citation needed] 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 to graduate from Toronto Film School and is currently a Marathi and Hindi film writer/director[26][27] and filmmaker.

Filmography

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Films produced under Rahul Productions (1999-2017)

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Hindi motion pictures

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Hindi television shows

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

Marathi television shows

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  • 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

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  • R.A.A.D.A. Rocks (2011)

Magic Cloud Media & Entertainment (2006-2017)

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References

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  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. ^ Himanshi Dhawan (11 February 2002). "Bal Thackeray's daughter-in-law Smita Thackeray helps filmmakers save Rs 1 crore daily". India Today. Retrieved 28 January 2019.
  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. ^ "Producers' paradise". The Hindu. 17 October 2003. Archived from the original on 20 November 2004. 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". 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. No. 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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