The teaser of Shraddha Kapoor’s upcoming film ‘Eetha’ is making waves on the internet these days. This promotional clip was attached with the film ‘Cocktail 2’ in theaters, from where it got leaked and went viral on social media. Shraddha Kapoor’s traditional Marathi transformation and powerful style in the teaser is being liked by the fans very much. But do you know who is the real inspiration behind this story seen on screen?
This film is going to bring alive on the big screen the extraordinary and struggling life journey of Vithabai Bhau Mang Narayangaonkar, the artist who changed the face of Maharashtra’s folk culture and is known as ‘Tamasha Empress’. Let us know the untold story of this great artist.
Early life: Inherited art and journey as a ‘Tamasha empress’
Vithabai was born in 1935 in Pandharpur, Maharashtra, in a very ordinary family associated with folk art. His father and other family members ran the ‘Bhau-Bapu Mang Narayangaonkar Tamasha Troupe’, which played an important role in keeping alive the traditional arts of Maharashtra during that period.
Growing up among artists since childhood, Vithabai mastered traditional folk styles like Lavani, Gavalan, Bhedik and Tamasha at a very young age. Gradually her fame spread throughout the state and in view of her unmatched skills, she was awarded the title of “Tamasha Samragyi” (Empress of Tamasha).
However, his journey was full of thorns. After the demise of her father and huge financial loss to the family troupe, the entire responsibility of carrying forward this cultural heritage of the family fell on the shoulders of Vithabai. Despite the poverty, he did not give up and made folk theater the aim of his life.
The historical incident that made Vithabai a ‘legend’
Although the entire life of Vithabai is an example of inspiration, but there is one such incredible incident of her life which immortalized her forever.
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This incident happened when Vithabai was nine months pregnant and was performing her art on stage as usual. During the live show itself, she suddenly started having severe labor pain. Any common man would have immediately rushed to the hospital in such a situation, but Vithabai’s dedication was at a different level. Instead of leaving the audience, she briefly went backstage, where she herself delivered her baby, tied and cut the umbilical cord, and returned to perform on stage immediately after giving birth. The audience was stunned to see his unprecedented and indomitable courage towards art and stage.
Honors and highest achievements from the President twice
From the 1950s to the 1990s, Vithabai remained the biggest pillar of the world of Tamasha and Lavani. In view of his historical and incomparable contribution in the field of art, he was honored twice by the Presidents of the country—first in 1957 and second in 1990.
In 2006, to immortalize her name in the art world, the Government of Maharashtra instituted the ‘Vithabai Narayangaonkar Lifetime Achievement Award’, which is given every year to artists who have made outstanding contributions to the tradition of tamasha and traditional art.
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Clash of None:
As brilliant as Vithabai’s art was, the end of her life was equally tragic. In the last years of her life, she was surrounded by severe financial constraints, health problems and major challenges in her personal life. When he died in 2002, the situation was so bad that his family did not even have the money to pay for his treatment and ultimately he could be treated with the help of social workers and donors.
About the movie ‘Eetha’
The film ‘Eetha’, being made under the skillful direction of Laxman Utekar, will present to the audience this ups and downs and inspirational journey of Vithabai Narayangaonkar from the 1940s to the 1990s. Shraddha Kapoor will be seen in the lead role (Vithabai) in the film. Apart from Shraddha, great actors like Randeep Hooda, Nana Patekar, Mohammad Zeeshan Ayyub and Siddharth Jadhav will be seen in lead roles in this film.
This biopic, being made under the banner of Maddock Films, will be released in theaters on 28 August 2026 on the occasion of Rakshabandhan. It will be really interesting to see how Shraddha Kapoor brings out the pain, struggle and artistic height of this great folk artist on screen.
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