Political leader, cartoonist, orator, and a family man are a few of the facets of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray. He is the nephew of the late Bal Thackeray, founder of Shiv Sena party. Raj Thackeray was active into politics from an early age, attending innumerable rallies with his uncle Bal Thackeray

In pic: Raj Thackeray takes a look at the vintage camera on display at National Film Archive of India.

Raj Thackeray was born on June 14, 1968, to Shrikant and Kunda Thackeray. Raj Thackeray's father Shrikant was the younger brother of Bal Thackeray while his mother was the younger sister of Bal Thackeray's wife Meena Thackeray.

In pic: Raj Thackeray, the artist engrossed in creative artwork.

As a child, Raj Thackeray had a knack towards music and he learned to play the tabla, the guitar, and the violin. Following the footsteps of his late uncle Bal Thackeray, Raj also contributed cartoons to Marmik, the weekly magazine that was started by the late Shiv Sena supremo

Raj Thackeray's birth name or full name was Swararaj Shrikant Thackeray which he later shortened to Raj Thackeray

In pic: Raj Thackeray escorted by security guards. Raj's son Amit Thackeray shared this picture on Instagram and captioned it: Storm's coming.

Raj Thackeray married Sharmila Wagh, now Sharmila Thackeray, daughter of Marathi cinema photographer, producer-director Mohan Wagh. Sharmila and Raj Thackeray are a well-renowned couple in Mumbai. Sharmila is often seen supporting the MNS leader at various public events and functions. The couple has a son, Amit Thackeray and a daughter Urvashi Thackeray.

In pic: Raj Thackeray with his family on a trip outside India.

According to industry insiders, there's another side to the politico. "He is a huge Bollywood movie buff," Ashoke Pandit, former CBFC member, had told mid-day in an interview.

In pic: MNS president Raj Thackeray at his residence, Krishna Kunj, in Dadar.

Raj Thackeray prefers the traditional white kurta and pyjama, which over the years has become his favourite attire. 

In pic: Raj Thackeray with Sharad Pawar

Raj Thackeray often attends events related to social causes and for the welfare of society.

In picture: MNS chief Raj Thackeray shares a meal with his party workers at part worker's residence in Kuntal village, district Palghar, Vada Tehsil.

In picture: Raj Thackeray and Sachin Tendulkar attend the last rites of the latter's coach childhood coach Ramakant Achrekar, who passed away on January 2, 2018, at the age of 86 due to age-old ailments.

In picture: Raj Thackeray with his late uncle Bal Thackeray and cousin Uddhav Thackeray, who is the current chief of Shiv Sena and chief minister of Maharashtra

On March 9, 2006, in Mumbai, Raj Thackeray founded the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) party.

Raj Thackeray's party MNS won seven seats in the 2007 Maharashtra civic elections. The figure jumped four-fold when MNS won 28 seats in the 2012 municipal elections. In the 2009 parliamentary elections, MNS-fielded candidates bagged over a lakh votes each in all the six parliamentary constituencies of Mumbai.

Raj Thackeray's party MNS' growth in Mumbai and Maharashtra came to a standstill during the 2014 elections. In 2014, Raj Thackeray's party's graph started to see a decline. During the 2014 elections, Raj announced support to BJP’s Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi. 

In picture: Raj Thackeray with cousin Uddhav Thackeray.

In picture: MNS chief Raj Thackeray with his entourage on his way to meet the then Chief Minister of Maharashtra Devendra Fadnavis.

In picture: Raj Thackeray, wife Sharmila Thackeray and their children Amit and Urvashi pose for the paparazzi after casting their votes during the 2017 BMC elections in Mumbai.

During the 2014 Maharashtra Assembly elections Raj Thackeray soft-launched his son Amit into politics and held road shows across the city of Mumbai. In 2017, during the civic polls, Amit Thackeray started a Facebook page to interact with the youth. 

In pic: Raj Thackeray is caught sharing a light moment with son Amit, daughter Urvashi and wife Sharmila at their Shivaji Park residence in Mumbai.

Raj Thackeray's son Amit Thackeray tied the knot with his girlfriend, Mitali Borude, a fashion designer by profession. In an interview with mid-day, Amit Thackeray was asked to name the three elements that can change the face of Mumbai? He quickly replied,
'Raj Thackeray. Raj Thackeray. Raj Thackeray.'!

In picture: Raj Thackeray interacts with the members of the media.

In picture: Raj Thackeray and wife Sharmila arrive at the red carpet of Akash Ambani and Shloka Mehta wedding bash held at Jio World Centre, Bandra-Kurla Complex. 

In picture: Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan at Raj Thackeray's residence in Dadar.

In picture: Raj Thackeray shares a light moment with MLA Bandra west Assembly Ashish Shelar at an event in Mumbai.

In picture: Raj and Sharmila Thackeray attend the birthday celebration of Bollywood's legendary singer Asha Bhonsale.

From book launches to social events and from lunch outings to playing the perfect hosts, Raj Thackeray has forged lifelong relations with movie industry stalwarts, sports personalities and Mumbai socialites. 

In picture: Raj and Sharmila Thackeray host Sachin Tendulkar and Lata Mangeshkar, both Bharat Ratna award winners, on the occasion of the eighth anniversary of his party MNS at his residence in Dadar.

In picture: Raj Thackeray attending the Marathi play 'Gholat Ghol' which completed 100 shows. Also seen in the picture is Mahesh Manjrekar and Sanjay Narverkar.

In picture: Raj Thackeray shares a lighting moment with BJP leader Pankaja Munde at the launch of a Marathi book at Taj Lands End in Bandra.

In picture: Raj Thackeray is seen interacting with the media post his son Amit's traditional Maharashtrian wedding to fashion designer Mitali Borude in Mumbai.

In picture: Raj Thackeray and wife Sharmila attend the inauguration ceremony of the three-day Koli Festival in Mahim along with Bollywood star Salman Khan.

Ajay Devgn, Rohit Shetty, Arjun Kapoor and Tiger Shroff join MNS Chief Raj Thackeray in inaugurating the Diwali festival lights in Shivaji Park. Photo Courtesy: Ashish Raje

Arjun Kapoor, Ajay Devgn, Rohit Shetty and Tiger Shroff with Indian politician Raj Thackeray at the Diwali party. Photo Courtesy: Ashish Raje

Arjun Kapoor, Ajay Devgn, Rohit Shetty and Tiger Shroff, the cast of 'Singham Again' meet Raj Thackeray at a Diwali party hosted by him. Photo Courtesy: Ashish Raje

MNS chief Raj Thackeray at a pre-Diwali party hosted by him in Shivaji Park earlier this week. Photo Courtesy: Ashish Raje