Chhaava (2025) director Laxman Utekar will be collaborating again with Maddock producer Dinesh Vijan for Eetha, starring Shraddha Kapoor in the lead. The film is going to be a biographical drama of Marathi folk theatre and Lavani performer Vithabai Bhau Mang Narayangaonkar, with Shraddha portraying the role of the dancer.
Eetha will also feature Randeep Hooda and Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub in pivotal roles. The film’s release date has been fixed as August 28, 2026, during the Raksha Bandhan holiday period, and it will clash in theatres with the Sidharth Malhotra and Tamannaah Bhatia starrer Vvan.
The film will mark Laxman’s fifth collaboration with Maddock Films after Luka Chuppi (2019), Mimi (2021), Zara Hatke Zara Bachke (2023) and Chhaava. Although Shraddha has worked with Maddock on the Stree film series, this is the first time she will be directed by Laxman.
Vithabai Narayangaonkar was one of Maharashtra's most renowned Tamasha performers. For the unversed, Vithabai was born in Pandharpur, in the Solapur district, in July 1935. She came from a family with a strong tradition of performing traditional folk songs. She started her career as a young girl and later rose to fame in the Tamasha and Lavani theatre scenes.
She was known for her powerful stage presence, expressive voice, and exuberant performances. Vithabai received two President's Awards in 1957 and 1990 for her contributions to Indian folk culture.
