Eetha: Shraddha Kapoor And Ulka Gupta To Face Off In Grand Lavani Dance Sequence?

Shraddha Kapoor’s Eetha has been making headlines ever since its first teaser dropped. While the film has sparked conversations over its title and Shraddha’s striking transformation into legendary Lavani icon Vithabai Narayangaonkar, a new report suggests audiences could be in for a spectacular dance sequence.

According to a report by Variety India, former TV actor Ulka Gupta will share screen space with Shraddha Kapoor in what is expected to be one of the biggest highlights of the film… a Lavani dance-off.

The report claims Ulka will play Gajra, Vithabai Narayangaonkar’s close friend, in the Laxman Utekar directorial. It further states that the special dance sequence has been kept tightly under wraps and that both actors spent several days rehearsing

to perfect the traditional Lavani performance.

Also Read: Eetha Teaser Out: Shraddha Kapoor Promises A Spine-Chilling Performance As Lavani Legend

Dance face-offs between leading actors have often become memorable moments in Bollywood, with films like Devdas, Dil To Pagal Hai and Bajirao Mastani featuring iconic performance battles. If the report is accurate, Eetha could add another memorable dance showdown to that list.

Ulka Gupta, who was recently seen in The Kerala Story 2, began her acting career as a child artist with Saat Phere – Saloni Ka Safar. She later gained recognition for playing young Manikarnika in Jhansi Ki Rani and has since appeared in television shows including Devon Ke Dev… Mahadev, Banni Chow Home Delivery and Dhruv Tara. On the film front, she made her debut with the Telugu film Andhra Pori before entering Hindi cinema with Traffic (2016). She has also appeared in Simmba and Rajni Ki Baraat.

Meanwhile, Eetha has found itself at the centre of a controversy over its title. According to a TV9 Marathi report, the Nationalist Congress Party’s (NCP) Film and Cultural Department has objected to the name, arguing that it does not properly honour the legacy of legendary Tamasha and Lavani performer Vithabai Narayangaonkar.

Also Read: Shraddha Kapoor’s Eetha Under Fire As Vithabai Narayangaonkar’s Family Questions Title

The report adds that the party believes the film should instead be titled Vitha or Vithabai. Vithabai’s family has also backed the demand, with her sons Kailash Narayangaonkar and Rajesh Narayangaonkar, along with her grandson Mohit Narayangaonkar, supporting the NCP’s stand.

Babasaheb Patil, Maharashtra State President of the NCP’s Film and Cultural Department, reportedly said it is the party’s responsibility to ensure Vithabai’s life story is presented with dignity and respect.

Neither director Laxman Utekar nor production house Maddock Films has responded to the controversy so far.

Based on the life of celebrated Marathi folk artist Vithabai Narayangaonkar, Eetha traces the journey of one of Maharashtra’s most iconic Lavani and Tamasha performers. Honoured by the President of India in 1957 and 1990, Vithabai remains one of the state’s most influential cultural figures.

The teaser recreates one of the most talked-about moments from her life, showing Shraddha’s character performing on stage despite being heavily pregnant. After going into labour backstage, she delivers her baby, cuts the umbilical cord with a stone and returns to finish the performance. Historical records suggest the performance was actually stopped after the delivery so Vithabai could rest.

Directed by Laxman Utekar, Eetha also stars Randeep Hooda, Mohammad Zeeshan Ayyub, Anant Joshi and others. The film has been shot across Madh Island, Solapur, Aundhewadi, Satara, Nashik and Bhor, and is scheduled to release in theatres on August 28, 2026.

The film also reunites Shraddha Kapoor with producer Dinesh Vijan after the success of the Stree franchise and brings together the hit producer-director duo of Dinesh Vijan and Laxman Utekar, who previously collaborated on Chhaava.