Shraddha Kapoor's Eetha to face Fauzi at box office, avoids clash with Toxic

Actor Shraddha Kapoor's film Eetha has moved out of the crowded August release line-up, avoiding a box-office clash with Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups. The biographical drama, based on legendary Marathi lavani and tamasha artiste Vithabai Narayangaonkar, will now release in cinemas in December instead of August.The new date gives the film a different box-office window in early December, where it is set to face films including Prabhas's Fauzi and Anees Bazmee's upcoming project starring Akshay Kumar and Vidya Balan. The makers have not disclosed the reason for the delay.Maddock Films announced the revised release date for Eetha on social media. Sharing a poster, the banner said the film would arrive in cinemas on December 4. The caption read: "TOOFAN ke liye taiyaar rehna... kyunki #EETHA aa rahi hai, 4th December ko (Get ready for the storm... because #Eetha is coming on December 4th) (sic)."The film had earlier been part of an already busy August release calendar. Titles including Batwara 1947 and Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups are also set to draw audiences during the month. What the teaser showedIn June, the team unveiled the film's teaser, offering a glimpse into the life of Vithabai Narayangaonkar, one of Maharashtra's most revered lavani and tamasha artistes. According to the makers, the film traces her extraordinary journey and celebrates her contribution to India's folk theatre traditions.The teaser was released after videos recorded inside cinema halls leaked online and went viral on social media. Vithabai Narayangaonkar was among the most influential figures in Marathi folk performance. She received honours from the President of India in 1957 and 1990 for her contribution to the art form. Vithabai was also honoured with the title of Tamasha Samradni by the Maharashtra government. Title row and family responseThe film's title had recently sparked controversy after reports said Vithabai's grandson Mohit Narayangaonkar had objected to the name Eetha and wanted her full name to be included in the title. The film and cultural department of the Nationalist Congress Party had also urged the makers to reconsider the title, while saying it had no objection to the film itself.Vithabai's eldest daughter, Mangala Bansode Karavadikar, later told ETimes that the family had no issue with the title. She said she had spoken to Mohit and asked him not to make any further statements on the matter.Explaining the name, she said people from villages where her mother performed would often call her Eetha. Mangala, herself a tamasha artiste and a President's Award recipient, also said she had shared this detail with director Laxman Utekar during the film's development and that the family was happy that the film would introduce people to Vithabai's dedication to her craft.More about the filmProduced by Maddock Films and Kathputli Creations, Eetha is directed by Laxman Utekar, whose previous films include Luka Chuppi, Mimi and Chhaava. The film reunites Shraddha Kapoor with producer Dinesh Vijan after the success of the Stree franchise. Apart from Kapoor, the cast also includes Randeep Hooda and Anant Joshi in pivotal roles.- EndsPublished By: Priyanka SharmaPublished On: Aug 11, 2026 19:33 IST