Shraddha Kapoor’s Eetha was scheduled to face Yash’s Toxic: A Fairytale For Grown-Ups at the box office during the Raksha Bandhan 2026 weekend. However, the clash has been averted. The Laxman Utekar-directed Vithabai Narayangaonkar biopic has a new date. Eetha is said to be in its pre-production stage and has to miss its August 28 deadline for a better big-screen experience. The makers confirmed the new date today. Now, Eetha will be releasing along with Akshay Kumar and Vidya Balan’s film directed by Anees Bazmee.
Shraddha Kapoor’s Eetha gets new release date
is now releasing on December 4, leaving the August 28 slot vacant. Toxic is arriving on August 26 in theatres across the world. Before Eetha, Maddock Films’ Prahaar, starring Rajkummar Rao, was moved from its August 7 release. A new date is yet to be announced.
Shraddha Kapoor as Vithabai Narayangaonkar
About Vithabai Narayangaonkar
Vithabai, a popular Tamasha artiste from Maharashtra, played an important role in shaping the folk dance’s legacy. Born in a family of artists in Pandharpur, Bhau-Bapu Mang Narayangaonkar was the family troupe run by her father and uncle. Narayan Khude, her grandfather, was its pioneer. Vithabai grew up around various forms of songs like Lavanya, Gavlan, Bhedik, etc.
Called the ‘Tamasha Samradini’ (Tamasha Empress), Narayangaonkar took the family legacy forward when her father went through a rough phase. She won the most prestigious awards, including the President’s Award in 1957 and 1990. Despite the acclaim and popularity, Vithabai faced monetary struggles. As per reports, her hospital bills post-death were cleared by donors.
Shraddha Kapoor and Vithabai Narayangaonkar
Eetha title controversy
Eetha’s first teaser premiered with Cocktail 2 in theatres. A few weeks later, it was released digitally. A controversy sparked after the Nationalist Congress Party’s Film and Cultural Department (NCP Chitrapat va Sanskrutik Vibhag) raised an objection against the title of the film. Its members believed that Eetha doesn’t do justice to the legacy of Vithabai. Instead, the party questioned why the film wasn’t titled Vitha or Vithabai.
NCP’s Film and Cultural Department further backed the demand, saying that wasn’t just another folk artist, but the torchbearer of Maharashtra’s culture, art form and Tamasha. Its members believed that Eetha‘s title doesn’t create the impact it should have.
Vithabai’s children and grandson also agreed to the demand. However, her grandson Mohit Narayangaonkar later said that Laxman explained the reason behind the title and the family was satisfied with it.
Shraddha and the makers of Eetha are expected to visit and reportedly launch the film’s trailer there.