The teaser of the Shraddha Kapoor starrer Eetha was unveiled by the makers on Tuesday. Helmed by Chhaava (2025) director Laxman Utekar, the film is a biopic of Marathi folk theatre and Lavani performer Vithabai Bhau Mang Narayangaonkar.
The two-minute teaser opens with people thronging to watch a ‘Tamasha’ (Maharashtrian folk dance performance). As the Lavani dancers open the act, the crowd starts getting impatient and call out for Eetha. It is then revealed that the titular dancer is having a painful childbirth and thus hasn’t shown up. The teaser, however, ends at her getting on stage immediately post-delivery, depicting her commitment to the craft.
Eetha also features Randeep Hooda and Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub in pivotal roles. It has been produced by Dinesh Vijan's Maddock Films.
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 marks 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 has been directed by Laxman.
For the unversed, Vithabai Narayangaonkar was one of Maharashtra's most renowned Tamasha performers. She was born in Pandharpur, in the Solapur district, in July 1935 and 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.
