Bollywood star Shraddha Kapoor has started filming for her most anticipated role so far, portraying the extremely talented Marathi folk performer Vithabai in the Laxman Utekar-awaited biopic Eetha. The movie officially started on November 1, 2025, with Maddock Films handling the production. Utekar aims to skillfully present the very colorful and lively part of Maharashtra’s Tamasha theatre tradition, combining touching narratives with cultural genuineness.
Reports say that the film’s title derives from the version that is typically spoken by locals, which is “Vitha,” a name that was beautifully used by the late performer’s fans. The biopic is likely to be a mix of reality, music, and human drama to pay homage to the art form and let people also learn more about the wonders it possesses.
Who Was Vithabai Bhau Mang Narayangaonkar?
Vithabai was a pioneer in Marathi folk theatre, born in 1935 in Pandharpur, Solapur district, to a family of artists. Her exceptional skill in Tamasha, which was the traditional musical theater composed of singing, dancing, and satire, made her a household name across Maharashtra.
Vithabai was recognized for her stunning audacity, extreme expressiveness, and fearless acting. She had earned two President’s Awards for her remarkable contribution to the preservation of Indian folk culture. She was not merely an artist but a revolutionary woman who altered the status of female performers in an age when men completely dominated folk stages.
The Government of Maharashtra has even established the annual “Vithabai Narayangaonkar Lifetime Achievement Award” in her memory from the year 2006.
A Role of Depth and Challenge for Shraddha Kapoor
For the actress, Eethu is going to be a defining moment of her career. Taking a bold step after the success of Stree 2, the actress will enact an emotionally charged character that will stretch her artistic boundaries.
As per reports, Shraddha Kapoor has started a lengthy and deep training session to learn the bodily gestures, voice, and overall performing style of a Tamasha artist. She is learning the traditional Lavani dance moves to get to understand the emotional core of the art form.
Moreover, the film portrays Kapoor’s connection with her Marathi roots, empowering her to not only explore a cultural identity but also to expand her range as a performer.
Laxman Utekar’s Vision for Eetha
Director Laxman Utekar, who has made a mark with movies like Zara Hatke Zara Bachke and Luka Chuppi, is now breaking new creative ground with Eetha. The filmmaker has made it clear through his close sources that Utekar aims for the picture to be a “celebration of India’s forgotten folk legends,” with not only just a biopic but also an artistic tribute to the resilience and the art itself.
Utekar has also pointed out that the narrative would cover the artist as well as the art and investigate Vithabai’s personal life, her hardships as a woman in a male-dominated profession, and her eventual triumph over society’s restrictions through her ardent love for theater.
The World of Tamasha Comes Alive
The filmmakers are recreating the scenario of Maharashtra, the period between the 1950s and the 1970s, when Tamasha was at its peak. The audience will be treated to opulent setups that are made to look like the old-style moving dramas, rural performance tents, different shades of costumes, and the lively atmosphere of folk dance nights.
It has been said that the cinematography will use a combination of natural light and handheld filming techniques to accurately capture the feel of rural performance areas and at the same time to provide a modern, smooth, and attractive visual presentation that can be appreciated by present-day viewers.
A Cultural Revival in Cinema
Eetha is not just a period biopic; it is the film that reclaims India’s folk traditions at the cinema. In a time during which urban stories are the most popular, the film’s emphasis on a regional art form is very noticeable. The very telling of Vithabai’s story is like the filmmakers’ way of honoring a significant page of India’s performing arts legacy and bringing women’s voices to the forefront of cultural history.
The film industry professionals think that Eetha could be a very important milestone in mainstream Bollywood, as it will show that local stories can connect universally if they are told with honesty.
What to Expect Next
Fans are on the edge of their seats as the production process goes on, waiting for Shraddha’s initial look as Vithabai to be revealed. It is said in the early reports that the actress will be seen in different age makeovers, showing the folk artist’s transition from a little star to a great cultural icon.
With Utekar’s enlightening direction along with Shraddha’s unwavering commitment, Eetha will more or less be an artistic, emotional, and cultural mixture and end up as a movie festival in the heart of Maharashtra.
