Shraddha Kapoor’s Eetha Clears Hurdle as Vithabai Narayangaonkar’s Daughter Gives Approval

The controversy over the title of Shraddha Kapoor’s upcoming biopic Eetha appears to have been put to rest after Vithabai Narayangaonkar’s eldest daughter publicly endorsed the name.

Her statement comes amid criticism from the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and reports claiming that members of the legendary Lavani artiste’s family were unhappy with the title.

Mangala Bansode Karavadikar, Vithabai Narayangaonkar’s eldest daughter and a President’s Award-winning Tamasha artiste, has clarified that the family has “no objection” to the title Eetha. She explained that the name carries sentimental value, as it was how villagers affectionately addressed her mother during her performances.

Speaking to The Times of India, Mangala said, “We have no objection to the film’s title. I have spoken with Mohit and have requested him not to give any further statements on the issue. The title is appropriate because, in those days, people from the villages where my mother performed would often call her Eetha.”

She also revealed that she had informed director Laxman Utekar about the nickname while he was researching Vithabai’s life for the film. According to Mangala, she has heard audiences call her mother “Eetha” ever since she began performing on stage at the age of seven.

“We are happy that through this film people will come to know about my mother and how dedicated she was to her craft,” she added.

The clarification comes after the NCP’s Film and Cultural Department objected to the title, arguing that a biopic on the iconic Lavani performer should bear Vithabai Narayangaonkar’s name. Reports had also claimed that her sons, Kailash and Rajesh Narayangaonkar, along with her grandson Mohit Narayangaonkar, were unhappy with the filmmakers’ decision to title the film Eetha.

The biographical drama stars Shraddha Kapoor as Vithabai Narayangaonkar, with Randeep Hooda and Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub in pivotal roles. Directed by Laxman Utekar, Eetha is slated to hit theatres on August 28.