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Sanjay Raut Biography: Age, Career, Family and More

F4U Editorial Desk • Updated September 14, 2026 • 6 min read

Quick Info

Date of birth15 November 1961

Age63 Years

BirthplaceAlibag, Maharashtra

ProfessionPolitician, Journalist, Writer, Film Producer

NationalityIndian

Marital statusMarried

SpouseVarsha Raut

FamilyWife: Varsha Raut; Daughters: Purvashi Raut, Vidhita Raut; Father: Rajaram Raut; Mother: Savita Rajaram Raut; Brother: Sunil Raut

Sanjay Raut Biography

Sanjay Raut is an Indian politician, journalist, writer and film producer best known as a senior leader and spokesperson of Shiv Sena. A four-time Rajya S​

Early life and background

Sanjay Raut was born on 15 November 1961 in Alibag, Maharashtra. He grew up in a Marathi-speaking environment and later moved to Mumbai, which is listed as his hometown. Raut completed a Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com) degree from Dr. Ambedkar College of Commerce and Economics in Wadala, Mumbai. He is identified with the Somvanshi Kshatriya Pathare caste and follows Hinduism.

Career

Raut has built a multi-faceted public life as a politician, journalist, writer and film producer. He is widely known for his longstanding association with Shiv Sena, where he has served as a prominent spokesperson and a close aide to party leadership. He is the executive editor of Saamana, the Shiv Sena’s mouthpiece, and has contributed articles to the publication for many years.

His parliamentary career has been anchored in the Rajya Sabha representing Maharashtra. He was first elected to the Upper House in 2004 and subsequently re-elected in 2010 and 2016. In July 2022 he secured a fourth term in the Rajya Sabha. During his earlier terms he served on parliamentary committees, including the Committee on Home Affairs and the Consultative Committee for the Ministry of Civil Aviation from 2005 to 2009, and later on the Committee on Food, Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution as well as the Consultative Committee for the Ministry of Power in 2010.

Beyond politics and journalism, Raut has been involved in the creative side of cinema. He provided the story input for the 2019 biographical film Thackeray, which drew on the life of Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray; Raut’s role in shaping the project was acknowledged in the film’s credits.

Public profile

Raut is a high-profile, sometimes polarising figure in Maharashtra politics. He has been a visible voice for Shiv Sena during election cycles and post-election negotiations, notably pressing for a Shiv Sena chief ministerial claim after the 2019 Maharashtra Assembly elections. He is known for outspoken public statements and has engaged in frequent media interactions and press conferences.

His public life has also been marked by legal and political controversies. In 2022 he was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in connection with an investigation into the Patra Chawl redevelopment project; unaccounted cash was reported to have been seized from his residence during raids. He was sent to judicial custody in August 2022 and later released on bail in November 2022. Around the same period an FIR was registered after an audio clip surfaced in which he was alleged to have abused a witness related to the Patra Chawl case. Separately, a defamation case was filed against Raut and others in late 2022 over an article published in Saamana; court proceedings in that matter continued into 2024.

Raut has also pursued legal remedies to defend his reputation: in June 2023 he filed a defamation suit against a political opponent, alleging repeated social media posts that accused him of involvement in various scams.

Personal life

Sanjay Raut married Varsha Raut, a teacher, on 16 February 1993. The couple have two daughters, Purvashi and Vidhita. His father is Rajaram Raut and his mother is Savita Rajaram Raut. He has a younger brother, Sunil Raut, who is also active in politics. Raut resides in Mumbai; an address in Bhandup is publicly listed.

He lists interests in social service, sports and Bollywood films. Physical details recorded in public profiles indicate a height of approximately 5 feet 7 inches, with black hair and black eyes.

Latest updates

In the aftermath of the 2024 Maharashtra assembly polls, Raut publicly attributed part of his party’s electoral setback to delays in judicial decisions related to anti-defection and other matters. Court cases, defamation suits and investigations that featured in his recent timeline continued to be part of his public narrative through 2024.

Raut remains a senior figure within Shiv Sena, active in party communications and parliamentary representation. His roles span party spokesperson, Rajya Sabha member and Saamana editorial responsibilities, keeping him prominent in Maharashtra’s political landscape.
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Recent Work

Rajya Sabha membership (fourth term)

Elected to the Rajya Sabha for his fourth term on 5 July 2022.

2022
Story by credit for Thackeray (film)

Provided story inputs for the 2019 biopic on Bal Thackeray and was credited in the film.

2019
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Career Highlights

  1. Executive editor and longtime writer for Saamana, the Shiv Sena mouthpiece
  2. First elected to the Rajya Sabha from Maharashtra in 2004 and re-elected in 2010, 2016 and 2022
  3. Served on parliamentary committees including Home Affairs, Civil Aviation, Food, Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution, and Ministry of Power consultative committees
  4. Credited as a contributor to the 2019 film Thackeray
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Frequently Asked Questions

When was Sanjay Raut born?

15 November 1961

What is Sanjay Raut known for?

Politician, Journalist, Writer, Film Producer

What is Sanjay Raut’s marital status?

Married

Who is Sanjay Raut married to?

Varsha Raut