Shraddha Kapoor has a clear message about what drives her career choices. At the trailer launch of her upcoming film Eetha on October 30, 2026, the actor said she has never felt like she broke any box office records and that what truly matters to her is being part of a good film. Her comments came as the makers released the trailer of the biographical drama based on the life of legendary Marathi Tamasha and Lavani performer Vithabai Narayangaonkar. The film is set to arrive in cinemas on December 4, 2026.
Shraddha Kapoor On Box Office Records
Shraddha Kapoor spoke plainly at the trailer launch event in Mumbai. The actor, who reunited with producer Dinesh Vijan after the success of Stree and Stree 2, said she does not measure her work by numbers.
“I don’t ever feel that I have broken any records or I’ve done something at the box office. I haven’t done anything. For me, it matters that it is a good film. That’s the reason sometimes I do one film in two years.”
The actor also pushed back against the idea of dividing films into women-oriented or men-oriented categories. She called that way of thinking narrow and said the industry simply needs good stories.
“I don’t think (in terms of) women or men-oriented films. Our industry needs good stories and such stories should be made. I think it is a narrow thought (to divide films on the basis of gender). The success of a film is incidental and not in anyone’s hand. I’m just happy and proud to be part of Eetha.”
Her words reflect a choice to focus on the material rather than the noise around box office collections. For Shraddha Kapoor, being part of Eetha is a source of pride, and she has said so directly.
Why She Does One Film In Two Years
The gap between Shraddha Kapoor‘s films is not a coincidence. The actor explained that she takes her time because she is always looking for stories that feel worth telling.
“I’m always in search of good stories and that’s why I sometimes do one film in two years.”
That approach has shaped her recent choices. After the horror-comedy success of Stree 2 in 2024, she stepped into a very different world with Eetha, a musical drama rooted in Maharashtra’s traditional folk forms. The film marks her return to theatres in a role that is far removed from the supernatural comedy space she became known for.
The preparation for the role was not easy. Shraddha Kapoor revealed at the launch that she ruptured a muscle in her leg during the making of the film.
“During the preparation, there was an accident. I ruptured the muscle in my leg, and the shoot was stalled, but the team was so supportive. I got a lot of support from them.”
Director Laxman Utekar organised a week-long workshop with veteran Lavani artiste Shakuntala Nagarkar to help the actor understand the dance form’s expressions, grace, and details.
What Eetha Is About
Eetha is a biographical drama inspired by the life of Vithabai Narayangaonkar, one of Maharashtra’s most celebrated Lavani and Tamasha performers. The film follows a woman who rose from humble beginnings and challenged social conventions to build a lasting place in folk theatre.
The story is rooted in the traditional art forms of Tamasha and Lavani. Tamasha is a Marathi folk theatre form that brings together music, dance, performance, and storytelling. Lavani is known for its expressive and energetic dance style. Vithabai became a defining figure in both, and her life story carries the highs and lows of an artist who kept going despite personal setbacks.
Director Laxman Utekar said the film is not just a biopic of Vithabai but a story that reflects the journey of all folk artists. The film is inspired by the book “Tamasha Vithabai Cha Ayushyacha”, written by Yogiraj Bagul.
Producer Dinesh Vijan spoke about why the story felt important to bring to Hindi cinema.
“One of the most exciting things about cinema is that every once in a while, you come across a story so extraordinary that you wonder why the world doesn’t already know about it. For me, Eetha was one of those stories.”
He added that the world of Lavani, with its music, rhythm, energy, and larger-than-life characters, had remained largely unexplored in Hindi films. For him, Eetha is more than a film inspired by true events. It is a celebration of an art form and the women who shaped it.
The Cast And Crew
Shraddha Kapoor leads the film in the title role of Eetha Bai. Randeep Hooda plays Anna Sawant Merchant, Vithabai‘s husband. The cast also includes Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub, Siddharth Jadhav, Anant Joshi, Ishtiyak Khan, Akshara Singh, Ulka Gupta, and the late Nana Patekar.
Dinesh Vijan described Randeep Hooda‘s character in a lighter moment at the launch event.
“Randeep Hooda is playing a ‘pehelwan’ in the film and a very sexy ‘pehelwan’. For the first time, Randeep is playing eye candy.”
Randeep Hooda shared his own view of the story.
“All warriors don’t carry swords, some carry love. That is the story of such a woman who was a warrior and did not give up. Whatever life offered her, she accepted and rose again. It is not just ‘Eetha’s story but thousands of ‘Eetha’ stories. I think that really connected with me.”
The film is directed by Laxman Utekar, written by Kshitij Patwardhan, and produced by Dinesh Vijan, Laxman Utekar, and Karishma Sharma under the banners of Maddock Films and Kathputli Creations. The music is composed by Ajay-Atul, with Akash Agrawal handling the cinematography.
Vithabai Narayangaonkar’s Life
Vithabai Narayangaonkar was born on July 1, 1935, in Pandharpur, Maharashtra. She was introduced to performance and Tamasha from a very young age. Audiences from across the state travelled to watch her shows, which blended music, dance, and storytelling.
Her artistry earned her the President’s award in the Tamasha genre. Fans called her “Tamasha Samradini”, which means Tamasha Empress. In 2006, the government instituted the annual Vithabai Narayangavkar Lifetime Achievement Award in her memory. She died on January 15, 2002, at the age of 66 in Narayangaon, Maharashtra.
The trailer of Eetha shows her journey on stage and the personal struggles behind it. A line from the trailer captures the spirit the film aims to present: “If I die without trying, I’ll be remembered as helpless. But if I die dancing, I’ll be remembered as a legend.”
Release Details
Eetha is scheduled to release in cinemas on December 4, 2026. The film was originally planned for an August 28, 2026 release but was moved to December.
The trailer, released on October 30, 2026, runs for 2 minutes and 58 seconds and has received a UA 16+ certificate from the censor board. The film will arrive in theatres across India and global markets on the same date.
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Shraddha Kapoor‘s return to the big screen comes after the 2024 blockbuster Stree 2. With Eetha, she steps into a role that puts dance, music, and a real-life cultural icon at the centre. Her words at the trailer launch make her position clear: the size of the opening weekend is not what she is chasing. A good film, she said, is what matters.
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