Dinesh Vijan and Laxman Utekar are back in business after the blockbuster success of Chhaava, and their next big screen bet has a powerful new face at its centre. Shraddha Kapoor will lead Eetha, a bold and emotionally charged drama that has now locked its theatrical release date.
The film will arrive in cinemas on August 28, 2026, coinciding with Raksha Bandhan. With Shraddha stepping into an author backed role and the makers positioning the film for a festive window, Eetha has instantly become one of the most watched Hindi film announcements for next year.
Eetha Locks Its Raksha Bandhan Release
Eetha brings together director Laxman Utekar and producer Dinesh Vijan under the Maddock Films banner. The film stars Shraddha Kapoor in the lead, with Randeep Hooda and Mohd Zeeshan Ayyub playing pivotal roles.
The film is based on the life of Vithabai Narayangaonkar, the celebrated Tamasha artiste whose journey remains deeply rooted in Maharashtra’s folk performance tradition. The story is expected to trace the emotional highs and personal struggles of a woman shaped by art, fame, resilience and cultural legacy, while keeping Shraddha’s character at the dramatic centre of the narrative.
The August 28, 2026 release date gives the film a strong festival corridor. It also places Eetha in a space where performance driven storytelling can meet mainstream theatrical ambition, something both Vijan and Utekar have successfully explored in different ways across their recent work.
Dinesh Vijan And Laxman Utekar Reunite After Chhaava
The reunion matters because Vijan and Utekar are coming off Chhaava, which turned into a major box office success after its theatrical release. Their decision to move from that historical canvas to Eetha suggests another rooted story, but one with a more intimate emotional core.
Randeep Hooda’s casting adds weight to the ensemble, while Mohd Zeeshan Ayyub brings proven strength in layered supporting parts. Around Shraddha, the film’s cast points to a drama that is not being built only as a star vehicle, but as a character led story with substantial dramatic interplay.
Shraddha Kapoor’s Recent And Upcoming Work
Shraddha Kapoor’s recent choices show a clear mix of mainstream reach and selective screen appearances. She starred opposite Ranbir Kapoor in Luv Ranjan’s 2023 romantic comedy Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar, returning to a glossy commercial romance space.
In 2024, she headlined Stree 2 with Rajkummar Rao, a Maddock horror comedy universe film that became a blockbuster and strengthened her connect with franchise driven theatrical entertainment. She also made a special appearance in the song “Thumkeshwari” from Bhediya in 2022, further linking her to Maddock’s expanding universe.
With Eetha, Shraddha now moves into a more demanding dramatic zone. The film is her confirmed upcoming theatrical release and, with its Raksha Bandhan 2026 date locked, it gives her a performance heavy platform after the massive visibility of Stree 2.
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