Shraddha Kapoor’s highly anticipated biopic Eetha has undergone a major schedule change. The makers have officially pushed the film’s theatrical release from August 28 to December 4. The decision ends what would have been a high-stakes box-office face-off with Yash’s Toxic: A Fairytale For Grown-Ups and places the film in a new competitive window later this year.
Postponement ends potential Raksha Bandhan clash
‘Eetha’, directed by Laxman Utekar, was originally locked for an August 28 release, positioning it directly against Yash’s much-awaited pan-India film during the Raksha Bandhan weekend. That clash has now been completely averted. Toxic is confirmed for August 26 worldwide, while Eetha shifts nearly three and a half months later.With the new date, ‘Eetha’ will now share the December 4 release window with an upcoming comedy directed by Anees Bazmee starring Akshay Kumar and Vidya Balan. This is not the first major date change in the August slot this year. Prahaar, starring Rajkummar Rao, had earlier moved out of its original August 7 opening, and a fresh release date for that film is still awaited.The film’s title itself became a point of debate earlier this year. After the first teaser of Eetha premiered in theatres with ‘Cocktail 2’ and later dropped online, the Film and Cultural Department of the Nationalist Congress Party raised objections. The party argued that the title “Eetha” failed to adequately honour Vithabai’s stature and suggested the film should simply have been named Vitha or Vithabai. They described her as a cultural torchbearer of Maharashtra’s Tamasha tradition rather than just another folk performer.Vithabai’s children and grandson initially supported the demand. However, her grandson Mohit Narayangaonkar later stated that director Laxman Utekar personally explained the creative reasoning behind the title, after which the family accepted it. Looking ahead, Shraddha Kapoor and the makers are expected to visit Narayangaon, the village closely associated with Vithabai’s legacy. Reports suggest the team plans to launch the official trailer from there, a move that could help strengthen the film’s cultural connect with audiences in Maharashtra.
What is the film about
Eetha is based on the life of Vithabai Narayangaonkar, one of Maharashtra’s most celebrated Tamasha artistes. She earned the title “Tamasha Samradini” (Tamasha Empress) after taking charge of the family troupe during a difficult phase in her father’s career. Over the decades she received major honours, including the President’s Award in 1957 and again in 1990. Despite her popularity and critical recognition, Vithabai faced significant financial hardships later in life.With the new December 4 date locked, Eetha has raised anticipation among the audiences.
