Shraddha Kapoor kicks off Eetha shoot after intense Lavani and Gavlan training

Shraddha Kapoor is starring in Eetha a biopic about renowned Tamasha artist Vithabai Narayangaonkar. Filming began near Nashik, requiring Kapoor to train in Lavani/Gavlan.

Shraddha Kapoor/Instagram

Eetha a biopic about the life of the renowned Tamasha musician Vithabai Bhau Mang Narayangaonkar, has officially begun filming, and Shraddha Kapoor will play the lead role. The beginning of the actor's attempt to portray the legendary singer and dancer whose career lasted more than three decades occurred on November 1, 2025, close to Nashik.

Extensive dance training for the role

Playing Narayangaonkar, a character linked to the Tamasha art form, calls for extensive training. Before landing the role of Lavani or Gavlan in the Laxman Utekar film, Kapoor reportedly spent three months honing his skills in traditional Maharashtrian dancing.

As per a report in Mid Day, according to sources, director Utekar cast Kapoor in the role because of his strong ties to Maharashtrian culture. The source shared that since Kapoor's mother, Shivangi Kolhapure, is a native Maharashtrian, she grew up immersed in the tradition. Since dance was such an integral aspect of Vithabai's life narrative, her proficiency in the art was an additional asset. The actor has learnt two traditional dances with Maharashtrian roots, Lavani and Gavlan. Tamasha, a traditional storytelling form that combines singing, dance, and satire, commonly employs these dances, according to a source.

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Chronicling Vithabai's life and legacy

Eetha will chronicle Narayangaonkar's life from the 1950s through the 1980s. The story will be about the artist's early years spent performing with her family troupe in Pandharpur and her drive to redeem her family's reputation following her father's financial woes. Despite her immense reputation and two coveted President's Awards—in 1957 and 1990—Narayangaonkar reportedly had financial difficulties in her last years.

Production has begun in the village of Aundhewadi, which is about 50 km from Nashik. They are shooting scenes featuring Kapoor in her prime as Narayangaonkar.

Costume details and shooting schedule

The insider said, providing further production details, that Kapoor is seen wearing a saree in kashta style in the dance sequence that is currently being shot. As part of her preparations for the historical film, stylist Sheetal Iqbal Sharma learnt which saree Vithabai preferred. Following the week-long shoot, the crew will spend November and December filming in Solapur, Nashik, Satara, and Kolhapur. Art directors Amit Ray and Subrata Chakraborty have carefully selected all the actual places. Utekar plans to shoot nonstop until March, with the exception of a 10-day hiatus at the end of December.

Randeep Hooda and Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub will also have substantial roles in the film. The duo Atul-Ajay has composed the music for the highly anticipated biographical drama. The film will conclude principal photography in March after an ongoing shooting schedule that aims to portray the spirit of Vithabai Narayangaonkar's extraordinary yet difficult life narrative.

FAQs:

Q: What is the movie Eetha about?

A: Eetha is a biopic on the life of the legendary Tamasha artiste, Vithabai Bhau Mang Narayangaonkar, a famed singer and dancer who had an illustrious career spanning over three decades. The film will cover her life story from the 1950s to the 1980s.

Q: Who plays Vithabai Bhau Mang Narayangaonkar in the biopic?

A: Shraddha Kapoor plays the role of Vithabai Bhau Mang Narayangaonkar in the biopic Eetha.

Q: Has Shraddha Kapoor trained for the role in Eetha?

A: Yes, Shraddha Kapoor underwent three months of intense training in the Maharashtrian folk dance forms of Lavani and Gavlan, which are widely used in Tamasha performances.

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