Shraddha Kapoor has a straightforward answer for anyone wondering how she deals with online criticism: she simply does not engage with it. The actress made the comment during an Instagram Ask Me Anything (AMA) session, and her remarks arrived just days after the trailer of her upcoming film Eetha sparked a heated conversation about her Marathi accent and dialogue delivery. The film, directed by Laxman Utekar, is a biographical drama about the legendary Lavani and Tamasha performer Vithabai Narayangaonkar. It is scheduled to arrive in theatres on December 4, 2026.
Shraddha Kapoor’s Simple Answer to a Complicated Question
During the Instagram AMA, a follower asked Shraddha Kapoor how she handles criticism. The actress did not offer a polished public-relations answer. Instead, she pointed to something far more ordinary: her phone.
“I actually don’t handle criticism. What’s there to handle in that? I can’t even handle my WhatsApp.”
She went on to explain that she does not have a manager or an agency handling her communication. Shraddha Kapoor said her friends, directors and producers regularly scold her for not checking her phone. The remark made clear that her approach to online negativity is not a carefully built strategy. It is simply a byproduct of staying away from her device.
“I’m not interested in handling any criticism. All I want to do is work, and more and more work. That’s it.”
The comments were reported by multiple outlets on November 4 and 5, 2026, including Hindustan Times, Times of India, News18 and Times Now.
What Sparked the Marathi Accent Debate
The conversation around Shraddha Kapoor’s Marathi accent began after the trailer of Eetha was released on October 30, 2026. The trailer introduced her as Vithabai Narayangaonkar, a figure deeply tied to Maharashtra’s folk theatre traditions. Social media users questioned whether her Marathi pronunciation, diction and dialogue delivery sounded convincing for a character rooted in the state’s cultural landscape.
Some viewers described her Marathi as “unnatural.” Others raised concerns about voice modulation and expressions in certain scenes. A section of the online discussion also questioned the casting itself, arguing that playing an iconic Marathi folk artist requires a strong command of the language and its cultural nuances.
The criticism was not universal. Several social media users defended Shraddha Kapoor’s effort and focus. One widely shared post on X contrasted her response with the way other public figures react to feedback.
“While most of Bollywood is busy giving fake attitude, holding grudges and getting offended over small things, Shraddha shows what real grace looks like.” — Kartik (@patel41176), November 3, 2026
The debate around Eetha is not just about an accent. It touches on a larger question in Indian cinema: how much linguistic and cultural preparation should go into portraying a real-life folk legend whose art form is inseparable from a specific region and its people.
Who Was Vithabai Narayangaonkar?
Vithabai Bhau Mang Narayangaonkar was born on July 1, 1935, in Pandharpur, in Maharashtra’s Solapur district. She grew up in a family where performance was a way of life. Her grandfather, Narayan Khude, had established a travelling Tamasha troupe, and her father, Bhau Bapu Narayangaonkar, carried the tradition forward.
Formal acting lessons were never part of her journey. She learned on the road, travelling with the troupe from village to village and performing before live audiences. Her natural command over the stage eventually made her one of the most recognisable names in Maharashtra’s folk theatre circuit.
At the age of just 13, she launched her own Tamasha troupe in 1948. Over the years, she became a leading figure in Lavani and Tamasha, earning the title ‘Tamasha Samradini’ — the Empress of Tamasha — from her audiences and later from the Maharashtra government.
The Childbirth Incident That Became Part of Her Legacy
Among the many stories associated with Vithabai Narayangaonkar, one has become part of Maharashtra’s cultural folklore. She was nine months pregnant when labour pains began during a stage performance. She reportedly went backstage, delivered her baby, cut the umbilical cord with a stone, and prepared to return to the stage.
When the audience learned what had happened, they stopped the performance and insisted she rest. The incident became a symbol of her commitment to her art and remains one of the defining stories of her life. The teaser of Eetha recreates this moment, and it has become one of the most discussed scenes from the film’s promotional material.
A Career That Earned National Recognition
Vithabai Narayangaonkar was honoured with medals by the President of India in 1957 and again in 1990 for her contribution to Tamasha. She received the President’s award in the Tamasha genre and became one of the most respected names in Maharashtra’s folk arts.
The Maharashtra government later instituted the Vithabai Narayangaonkar Lifetime Achievement Award in her memory in 2006, recognising individuals who have contributed to the preservation and propagation of Tamasha.
She was married to Anna Sawant Merchant, who was associated with the Tamasha industry and handled performance bookings. The couple had a daughter, Mangala Bansode, who also became a Tamasha performer. Vithabai Narayangaonkar died on January 15, 2002.
Eetha: Cast, Crew and Release Details
Eetha is directed by Laxman Utekar and produced by Dinesh Vijan, Laxman Utekar and Karishma Sharma under the banners of Maddock Films and Kathputli Creations. The film features music by Ajay-Atul.
Shraddha Kapoor plays the lead role of Vithabai Narayangaonkar. The supporting cast includes Randeep Hooda, Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub, Siddharth Jadhav, Ishtiyak Khan, Anant Joshi, Akshara Singh and Ulka Gupta.
The trailer was released on October 30, 2026. The film was originally planned for an August release but was later moved to December 4, 2026. It will arrive in cinemas in India and overseas markets on the same date.
Distribution Deal and Box Office Clash
Ahead of its release, Eetha has secured a significant distribution arrangement. The film has reportedly locked a Rs 90 crore distribution deal with PVR Inox, according to a report by NDTV. The deal covers the film’s theatrical release across multiplex chains in India.
Eetha is set to clash at the box office with Arjun Rampal’s 3 Monkeys on December 4, 2026. The two films will compete for screen space and audience attention during the first weekend of December.
What Shraddha Kapoor Said About Choosing Eetha
Shraddha Kapoor has spoken about why she waited for Eetha despite turning down multiple projects after the success of Stree 2. In a recent interview, she said waiting for the film was “totally worth it.” Her comments suggest that the project holds personal significance for her, beyond the online conversation surrounding her accent.
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The actress has maintained a relatively lighthearted approach to social media interactions in the past. Her latest remarks reflect a preference for keeping her attention on her profession rather than allowing negative reactions to occupy her time. Whether the accent debate affects the film’s reception when it releases on December 4, 2026, remains an open question — but Shraddha Kapoor has made it clear that she will not be the one checking the comments section.
Also Read: Shraddha Kapoor Says Box Office Records Do Not Matter To Her, Calls Eetha A Film She Is Proud Of
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