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Shraddha Kapoor starts filming Eetha, Laxman Utekar’s biopic on Vithabai Narayangaonkar, the legendary Tamasha artist from Pandharpur.
Shraddha Kapoor has begun filming for Eetha.
Shraddha Kapoor has begun filming for Eetha, a biopic directed by Laxman Utekar that traces the life and legacy of the celebrated Marathi folk artist Vithabai. Production for the film officially commenced on November 1, 2025. The title Eetha is derived from a regional pronunciation of Vitha, the affectionate name by which the legendary performer was known in parts of Maharashtra.
The film is based on the extraordinary journey of Vithabai Narayangaonkar, one of Maharashtra’s most revered Tamasha performers. Born in July 1935 in Pandharpur, located in Solapur district, Vithabai came from a family deeply rooted in traditional folk performance. She began her career as a child and went on to become an iconic figure in the world of Lavani and Tamasha theatre.
Known for her commanding stage presence, expressive voice, and high-energy performances, Vithabai’s contribution to Indian folk culture earned her two President’s Awards, first in 1957 and later in 1990.
The title Eetha carries local significance, representing how Vitha, a familiar form of the artist’s name, is pronounced in certain parts of rural Maharashtra. Utekar, who is known for blending emotional depth with realism in his storytelling, is expected to highlight not just the artist’s career but also the personal struggles behind her celebrated public life.
Kapoor, who continues to balance commercial and character-driven roles, was last seen in Stree 2, alongside Rajkummar Rao, Aparshakti Khurana, Abhishek Banerjee, and Pankaj Tripathi. The film released on August 15, 2024, and became a box-office blockbuster, grossing over Rs 500 crore worldwide.
The actor is set to return in Stree 3, scheduled for release in August 2027. She also has the ambitious fantasy trilogy Naagin lined up, in which she will play the titular role.
Dinesh Vijan had explained the idea behind the MHCU and even revealed why Stree 3 won’t get a 2026 release. Dinesh told the Hindustan Times, “Someone very wise told me that when you’re making films, keep them in a box. It was a gentleman called Chuck Roven who produces all of Christopher Nolan’s films; he’s done most of them. And he told Deepika (Padukone) and me this in 2012, and it stayed with me. So when Stree happened, I understood. There should be an ability to meet. Don’t change the physics if you want some people to meet. That’s how the idea of the universe came.”
The producer shared, “They (Munjya and Stree) are completely different worlds. The family conflict… So we are very conscious not to repeat. That is why we’re not bringing Stree 3 next year, you know, which most people would want to do, right? Even us. It just makes more sense to come. There’s a journey to it. So we are trying to… the way I look at it is, I’m from a joint family. We love a big family atmosphere. So, the universe is a family and it’s got different kinds of characters. No one’s similar.”
November 02, 2025, 18:07 IST
