Shraddha Kapoor to portray folk artist Vithabai in Laxman Utekar directorial biopic Eetha, begins production

Shraddha Kapoor stars in a biopic

Bollywood actress Shraddha Kapoor is all set to star in the upcoming biopic, Eetha. Directed by Laxman Utekar, the actress will portray the renowned Marathi folk artist Vithabai.

Shraddha has officially kicked off the production of Eetha, which follows the life and legacy of Vithabai, on November 1. The title of the film has been inspired by Vithabai’s name, Vitha. The legendary performer was affectionately referred to by her name, Vitha, in some parts of Maharashtra.

The film is based on the remarkable journey of one of Maharashtra's most renowned Tamasha performers, Vithabai Narayangaonkar. Vithabai was born in Pandharpur, in the Solapur district, in July 1935. She 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.

The title Eetha has a local meaning because it reflects the way that the artist's name, Vitha, is pronounced in some rural Maharashtra areas. It is anticipated that Utekar, who is renowned for his ability to tell stories that combine realism and emotional depth, will emphasise not only the artist's career but also the inner battles that underlie her illustrious public life.

Meanwhile, Shraddha Kapoor was last seen with Rajkummar Rao, Aparshakti Khurana, Abhishek Banerjee, and Pankaj Tripathi in Stree 2. The film was released on August 15, 2024 and became a box office success, earning over Rs 500 crore globally.

However, the actress is now gearing up for the highly anticipated Stree 3, which is slated to hit the theatres in August 2027.

Shraddha is also speculated to play the title character in the ambitious fantasy trilogy Naagin.