Blab Entertainment
Shraddha Kapoor to Portray Legendary Lavani Dancer Vithabai Narayangaonkar in Upcoming Film "Eetha"
Shraddha Kapoor will play the title role in the biographical drama Eetha, a film that chronicles the life of celebrated Marathi folk dancer Vithabai Narayangaonkar. The teaser was released on June 23 2026, and the movie is scheduled for theatrical release on August 28 2026.
The teaser opens with a large crowd gathered to watch a folk dance performance. Viewers hear a woman’s scream and then see Kapoor’s character, Eetha, a popular Lavani dancer who performs immediately after giving birth. The clip shows her dancing with grace and commanding the audience’s attention, but it offers little about the plot. The film is directed by Laxman Utekar, known for his work on Chhaava. It stars Randeep Hooda, Mohammed Zeeshan Ayub, and Anant Joshi in supporting roles.
Eetha is produced by Dinesh Vijan’s Maddock Films, marking a reunion for Kapoor after the Stree franchise. The screenplay is written by Kshitij Pathwardhan, cinematography is handled by Akash Agrawal, and the music is composed by the duo Ajay‑Atul. The production team has highlighted the film’s focus on Lavani, a traditional Marathi dance form that combines song and movement performed to dholki rhythms.
Vithabai Narayangaonkar (1935‑2002) was a prominent Tamasha artist and Lavani performer. She earned the Vithabai Narayangaokar Lifetime Achievement Award from the Government of Maharashtra in 2006 and was known for her powerful stage presence and emotive singing. Her career spanned several decades, during which she helped popularise Lavani beyond Maharashtra’s borders.
Lavani itself is a genre of music and dance that emerged during the Maratha empire and Peshwa rule. It is performed to the beat of the dholki and is traditionally danced by women wearing long sarees called Lugade. The form is noted for its strong rhythm and expressive storytelling, and it has played a significant role in Marathi folk theatre.
For Kapoor, the role represents a departure from her recent work in Hindi comedies and action films. She has previously worked with Maddock Films on the horror‑comedy Stree (2018) and its sequel Stree 2 (2024). The biopic offers her an opportunity to showcase her dancing skills and to engage with a regional art form that has limited representation in mainstream Hindi cinema.
The film’s marketing strategy has focused on the teaser’s visual appeal and the cultural significance of Lavani. No official trailer has yet been released, but the production team has announced that the full film will be distributed by Maddock Films across India, with a planned release in select international markets that have shown interest in Indian regional cinema.
As of now, Eetha remains in production with principal photography wrapped. The release date of August 28 2026 is confirmed by Maddock Films. The film is expected to compete with other mid‑year releases and may attract audiences interested in biographical dramas, dance films, and Marathi cultural content.
In summary, Eetha brings together a well‑known Bollywood actress, a respected regional dance legend, and a production house with a track record of successful collaborations. The film’s release in late August positions it for festival consideration and potential awards recognition within the biographical and dance‑film categories.
The teaser opens with a large crowd gathered to watch a folk dance performance. Viewers hear a woman’s scream and then see Kapoor’s character, Eetha, a popular Lavani dancer who performs immediately after giving birth. The clip shows her dancing with grace and commanding the audience’s attention, but it offers little about the plot. The film is directed by Laxman Utekar, known for his work on Chhaava. It stars Randeep Hooda, Mohammed Zeeshan Ayub, and Anant Joshi in supporting roles.
Eetha is produced by Dinesh Vijan’s Maddock Films, marking a reunion for Kapoor after the Stree franchise. The screenplay is written by Kshitij Pathwardhan, cinematography is handled by Akash Agrawal, and the music is composed by the duo Ajay‑Atul. The production team has highlighted the film’s focus on Lavani, a traditional Marathi dance form that combines song and movement performed to dholki rhythms.
Vithabai Narayangaonkar (1935‑2002) was a prominent Tamasha artist and Lavani performer. She earned the Vithabai Narayangaokar Lifetime Achievement Award from the Government of Maharashtra in 2006 and was known for her powerful stage presence and emotive singing. Her career spanned several decades, during which she helped popularise Lavani beyond Maharashtra’s borders.
Lavani itself is a genre of music and dance that emerged during the Maratha empire and Peshwa rule. It is performed to the beat of the dholki and is traditionally danced by women wearing long sarees called Lugade. The form is noted for its strong rhythm and expressive storytelling, and it has played a significant role in Marathi folk theatre.
For Kapoor, the role represents a departure from her recent work in Hindi comedies and action films. She has previously worked with Maddock Films on the horror‑comedy Stree (2018) and its sequel Stree 2 (2024). The biopic offers her an opportunity to showcase her dancing skills and to engage with a regional art form that has limited representation in mainstream Hindi cinema.
The film’s marketing strategy has focused on the teaser’s visual appeal and the cultural significance of Lavani. No official trailer has yet been released, but the production team has announced that the full film will be distributed by Maddock Films across India, with a planned release in select international markets that have shown interest in Indian regional cinema.
As of now, Eetha remains in production with principal photography wrapped. The release date of August 28 2026 is confirmed by Maddock Films. The film is expected to compete with other mid‑year releases and may attract audiences interested in biographical dramas, dance films, and Marathi cultural content.
In summary, Eetha brings together a well‑known Bollywood actress, a respected regional dance legend, and a production house with a track record of successful collaborations. The film’s release in late August positions it for festival consideration and potential awards recognition within the biographical and dance‑film categories.
