Family demands Eetha title change ahead of release

Just two months before Eetha is set to release in cinemas, the Shraddha Kapoor starrer has become embroiled in a controversy over its title, after the family of the late Lavani legend Vithabai Narayangaonkar objected to the film not being named after the artist herself.
The film, based on Narayangaonkar’s life, came under scrutiny after the Nationalist Congress Party questioned why the upcoming biopic was titled Eetha rather than carrying the late artist’s own name. The objection quickly gained further weight when Narayangaonkar’s family publicly backed the demand for a title change.
According to a report citing TV9 Marathi, the NCP’s Film and Cultural Department argued that a film chronicling the life of a figure as significant as Narayangaonkar should have been titled Vitha or Vithabai, in order to properly honour her legacy and ensure she receives due recognition. The party’s Maharashtra State President, Babasaheb Patil, said the NCP was seeking to protect and respect Narayangaonkar’s contribution to the art forms of Lavani and Tamasha, and questioned the makers’ decision to title the film differently.
The objection was soon reinforced by members of Narayangaonkar’s own family. Her sons, Kailash and Rajesh Narayangaonkar, along with her grandson, Mohit Narayangaonkar, urged the filmmakers to reconsider the title. As of now, director Laxman Utekar and production house Maddock Films have not issued any public response to the criticism.
Narayangaonkar, widely known as the Tamasha Samradini, or Queen of Tamasha, was a celebrated Marathi folk artist who devoted her life to Lavani and Tamasha performance despite significant social challenges of her time. Her dedication to her craft became the stuff of legend, including a widely told account of her returning to perform on stage shortly after giving birth backstage. Eetha traces her five decade journey, focusing on her struggles, her passion for the art form, and her broader contribution to preserving Maharashtra’s folk heritage.
The film’s teaser, released on June 23, opens with an eager audience awaiting a performance from a dancer named Eetha, before introducing Shraddha Kapoor’s character with an unexpected twist. The preview shows Eetha preparing for a major performance while heavily pregnant, only to go into labour just before taking the stage. Despite the pain, she insists on returning to perform shortly after giving birth, and the trailer goes on to highlight her commanding stage presence and the deep adoration she received from audiences throughout her career.
Eetha also stars Randeep Hooda, Nana Patekar, Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub and Siddharth Jadhav in its ensemble cast, and is scheduled to release in cinemas on August 28, 2026.

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