I recently watched an interview with Amit Thackeray, son of Raj Thackeray, on the Lokmat channel. He was asked about the artistic talents that run in his family—his grandfather being a renowned satirist, his uncle Uddhav Thackeray a skilled photographer, and his father Raj Thackeray a celebrated cartoonist. When asked what unique talent he possessed, Amit responded that as a child, he would copy his grandfather’s cartoons, play piano occasionally, and dabble in football.
Amit’s responses reminded me of Ananya Pandey, daughter of actor Chunky Pandey. During a TV show, when asked about her achievements, she humorously stuck out her tongue to touch her nose, which later became a subject of mockery. Both Ananya and Amit seem to acknowledge that their most significant achievement is being the children of famous personalities, a fact that has opened many doors for them.
Amit is expected to contest the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly elections from the Mahim constituency. However, if you’re anticipating the kind of fiery, passionate speeches his father Raj Thackeray is known for, you may be left disappointed. Amit’s demeanor is gentler, and his style more composed. His ability to command attention in politics will require more than just his family’s legacy. His speeches often include fillers, and while he has a deep voice, he has yet to make effective use of it. Compared to his cousin Aaditya Thackeray, who has already carved out a name for himself in politics, Amit still has a long road ahead.
The day Amit starts delivering speeches in his father’s assertive “MNS style,” or makes bold statements that stir controversy, it will be clear that he has embraced a more aggressive political persona. Until then, he remains on a learning curve, gradually building confidence. Raj Thackeray’s political career has been defined by strong rhetoric and bold stances. In contrast, Amit seems to be trying to connect with younger voters by presenting himself as more approachable. However, political styles evolve, and what’s perceived as “aggression” or effective leadership can vary across contexts and generations.
The Thackeray family is among Maharashtra’s most influential political dynasties, with Keshav Sitaram Thackeray playing a pivotal role in the Samyukta Maharashtra Movement. Over time, dynastic politics has changed. It’s no longer about simply passing the baton to the next generation as it once was. When Balasaheb Thackeray handpicked Uddhav to lead, it eventually led to a split within the family and the party. Raj, despite his early political success, has struggled to maintain a stable footing in Maharashtra politics. For Amit, the challenge will be even greater.
Aggression as a political strategy may not yield the results it once did. The typical rhetoric of stoking parochial sentiments for electoral gain has lost much of its appeal. Today, voters are more focused on tangible issues—peace, development, infrastructure, jobs, and a better quality of life. Leaders who can deliver concrete results are the ones who resonate with the public.
Amit, like other political heirs, will need to earn his way into the public’s trust. While Aaditya Thackeray has managed to create a smoother path for himself, Amit’s journey will be tougher if he fails to capitalize on the opportunities ahead of him. It’s fortuitous for him to have the chance to contest elections without significant political experience or proven merit.
Raj Thackeray’s politics have been deeply inspired by Balasaheb Thackeray. Like Balasaheb, Raj is an artist with a clear vision for the development and beautification of cities. His ideas for urban planning and infrastructure are well thought out, as seen in his party’s work in Nashik. Town planning is more than just a political talking point for Raj—it’s a passion. His blueprint for Maharashtra, first released in 2014 and set to be re-released in 2019, outlines solutions for the state’s most pressing problems, from transportation to water supply and job creation.
Raj’s political journey may not have translated into electoral success, but his development-oriented vision holds promise. Perhaps with Amit’s entry into politics, there’s hope that this vision can be realized, leading to meaningful changes for Maharashtra. Whether Amit can step out from his father’s shadow and make a mark of his own remains to be seen, but the potential for positive change is certainly there.
