Who was Vithabai Narayangaonkar, the legend behind Shraddha Kapoor's Eetha?

A leaked teaser of actor Shraddha Kapoor's Eetha turned the spotlight on folk icon Vithabai Narayangaonkar. The glimpse of her returning to the stage after childbirth has revived interest in her grit, legacy and fame.

In Short

• Vithabai Narayangaonkar was a legendary tamasha and lavani artiste
• Shraddha Kapoor portrays the legendary folk artiste in Eetha
• The teaser of Eetha leaked online on Friday

The teaser of actor Shraddha Kapoor's upcoming film Eetha leaked online on Friday, turning attention to the woman at the centre of the story - legendary Marathi folk artiste Vithabai Bhau Mang Narayangaonkar. The teaser, which was shown in theatres alongside Cocktail 2, has drawn strong reactions from fans, with many praising Kapoor's screen presence and the film's visual treatment.

The glimpse shows the 39-year-old actor playing Vithabai during a dramatic phase of her life. She is seen with a nine-month baby bump, preparing to return to the stage moments after childbirth. The sequence has sparked discussion on social media and has also renewed interest in Vithabai, widely remembered as the "Tamasha Samradini", or queen of tamasha.

Vithabai Narayangaonkar was one of the best-known names in Marathi folk theatre. A legendary tamasha and lavani performer, she was celebrated for her dancing, singing and contribution to Maharashtra's folk culture. She came from a family of folk artistes and spent her life performing, becoming one of the most respected figures in Marathi folk art.

She was known not only for her stage presence but also for her passion and resilience. Vithabai continued to keep the traditional art form alive despite personal struggles and hardship. Her work brought her major recognition, including presidential honours for her contribution to tamasha.

The story behind the teaser

One of the most widely recalled stories about Vithabai is that she continued performing even in the final stage of her pregnancy and delivered her baby backstage. Over the years, that episode came to symbolise her dedication to her art.

The teaser revisits that moment, showing Kapoor in costume backstage with a nine-month baby bump during a crucial moment before delivery. It then shows her giving birth behind the stage and preparing to return to the performance within minutes.

The visual has quickly gained attention online for its dramatic treatment and storytelling.

More about the upcoming film

Kapoor, who was last seen in the 2024 film Stree 2, will next be seen in Eetha, directed by Laxman Utekar. The film also stars Randeep Hooda, Nana Patekar, Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub and Siddharth Jadhav.

Eetha is scheduled to release in theatres on August 28.

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