Smita Thackeray

Biography

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 27 crores worldwide. Since, she has gone on to work extensively in the Hindi and Marathi film and television industries.

Smita Thackeray was born on 17 August 1958 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.

Thackeray first worked at the Centuar Hotel where she handled administrative and managerial tasks for a small stipend. Her interest in fashion translated to NARI boutique. She went on to be the founder and chairperson of the Mukkti Foundation in 1997. 

She is the owner of Rahul Productions. She was formerly the President of the Indian Motion Picture Producers Association from 2002 to 2004.

 During her time in IMPPA, she started conversations around piracy and redistribution of media, specifically concerning the ethical screening of films and content on television and other media post-release.

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, though she continued to stay in her In-law's home 'Matoshree'.She has two sons, Rahul Thackeray her eldest, and Aaishvary Thackeray her youngest.

 Rahul and Aishvary, graduated from the American School of Bombay. Rahul went on to graduate from Toronto Film School and is currently a Marathi and Hindi film writer/director and filmmaker.