What Is The Truth About Smita Thackeray And Balasaheb Relationship?

There has been a lot of speculation about Smita Thackeray and Balasaheb Thackeray. I haven’t found much to link them to beyond reports of Smita being part of Thackeray family events because of politics or social gatherings in Mumbai. The Smita Thackeray that we know is a producer and a social worker who is involved in many causes. And then there is Balasaheb Thackeray, the Chief of Shiv Sena. There has been much speculation about both Smita and Balasaheb in the news and rumors of them having had a romantic relationship or even being secretly married to each other. However, I haven’t found any credible news reports that back up these rumors.

I recall someone else mentioning that rumor mills thrive on ambiguity and in the context of Indian politics, many such rumors are perpetuated by the opponents of a politician. So even though Smita Thackeray is a prominent personality in her own right, a film producer and social worker, a woman of substance as they say, her high profile life gets generate a lot of curiosity when she is seen with another high profile personality like Balasaheb Thackeray. But most of these rumors are mere celebrity gossip and there is no truth to them as there is no legal or documentary proof to substantiate these rumors. Just because two prominent people are seen together does not mean to say that there is any kind of relationship between them.

My take on this is somewhat analytical and doesn’t really buy the sensationalized version of the news. Having followed Smita’s news over the years in several reports, interviews and even archival pieces, it is evident that her life – both her work and philanthropy – has intersected with the Thackeray clan on several occasions. However, there is no solid evidence to support the rumors of a romantic relationship with Balasaheb Thackeray.

It’s also important to recognize how rumors persist within a narrative that is advantageous to the story itself. As a result, it is also important to practice media literacy, and to consult the original reporting and, where possible, documentation of the subject or individual in question. If all a story contains is unnamed sources or hearsay, then I would reserve judgment until there is solid evidence to support the claims made within the article. Based on the current evidence, it seems safe to say that while there was likely some form of relationship with Smita Thackeray, it was no doubt a public one, and conducted within the parameters of her professional life. As with many famous people, it is surprising how quickly myth is created around them and this is just another example of that.

That's my two paise on this. As I've said before, I spend a fair amount of time each day cutting through the online speculation to identify the insightful reporting from the mass of hype. Digging through the online archives of today's select news sites and incomplete interviews, I've found nothing (and I mean NOTHING) in the way of credible proof of Smita-Thackeray-Balasaheb-Thackeray-affair.

But if I may add to all this, treat claims of infidelity with the healthy dose of skepticism they deserve, unless published with corroboration via documents, on-the-record testimony, or irrefutable legal certification. The endless fascination with the manufactured drama of high-public-life personalities’ private lives is wearying, and there are so many more interesting civic conversations to be had. That’s my 2 cents, and I feel better having put that out there.