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Shraddha Kapoor to Portray Marathi Folk Legend Vithabai in Laxman Utekar’s Biopic Eetha
Shraddha Kapoor has commenced shooting for Eetha, a biopic directed by Laxman Utekar that chronicles the life and legacy of the iconic Marathi folk artist Vithabai Narayangaonkar. Production officially began on November 1, 2025. The film’s title, Eetha, reflects the regional pronunciation of “Vitha,” the affectionate name by which Vithabai was known in parts of rural Maharashtra.The film traces the extraordinary journey of Vithabai, one of Maharashtra’s most celebrated Tamasha performers. Born in July 1935 in Pandharpur, Solapur district, she hailed from a family steeped in traditional folk arts. Starting her career as a child, Vithabai rose to prominence as an iconic figure in Lavani and Tamasha theatre, renowned for her powerful stage presence, expressive voice, and energetic performances.
Her immense contribution to Indian folk culture earned her two President’s Awards—in 1957 and again in 1990.Director Laxman Utekar, known for blending emotional depth with realism, aims to portray not only Vithabai’s illustrious career but also the personal struggles behind her celebrated public life, capturing the essence behind the legend.Shraddha Kapoor, who balances commercial hits with strong character-driven roles, was last seen in Stree 2 alongside Rajkummar Rao, Aparshakti Khurana, Abhishek Banerjee, and Pankaj Tripathi. Released on August 15, 2024, Stree 2 was a box-office blockbuster, grossing over ₹500 crore worldwide. She is slated to return in Stree 3, set for release in August 2027, and is also attached to the ambitious fantasy trilogy Naagin, where she will play the lead role.
Producer Dinesh Vijan recently shared insights about the Madhur-Chaitanya Cinematic Universe (MHCU) and explained why Stree 3 is not releasing in 2026. Speaking to Hindustan Times, he said, “A very wise man named Chuck Roven, who produces most of Christopher Nolan’s films, told Deepika and me in 2012 to keep films in a box—meaning maintaining their unique physics so characters can meet naturally. This philosophy shaped the universe concept.”He added, “Munjya and Stree are completely different worlds with distinct family conflicts. We’re careful not to repeat ourselves, which is why Stree 3 won’t come out next year, even though many want it. There’s a journey involved. Coming from a joint family background, I see the universe like a big family with diverse characters—none alike.”
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