Dinesh Vijan makes a bold prediction about Shraddha Kapoor’s Eetha performance

Producer Dinesh Vijan believes Eetha could become a defining film in Shraddha Kapoor’s acting career. Speaking at the film’s trailer launch in Mumbai on October 30, Vijan made a strong prediction, saying that Shraddha would be known as an actor differently before and after the film.

The producer praised the actress for giving the project everything she had and credited director Laxman Utekar with being convinced that she was the right person for the role. His remarks set the tone for an event that brought together Shraddha, co-star Randeep Hooda, composer duo Ajay-Atul and the film’s creative team.

Why Dinesh Vijan believes Eetha could be a turning point?

Vijan also reflected on the change he noticed in Shraddha between Stree (2018) and Stree 2 (2024). He said she appeared almost like a different performer on the sets of the sequel, although he did not specify exactly what had changed.

He used that observation to underline his confidence in her latest transformation. Vijan also praised her collaboration with Utekar, saying the director was certain that Shraddha was the only choice for the part.

Randeep Hooda, who is part of the film’s cast, also backed the producer’s assessment at the launch. He spoke about the effort Shraddha had put into the project and said he could understand what Vijan meant by the idea of a “before and after Eetha” phase.

The Ajay-Atul and Saridon joke at the trailer launch

The event also offered a lighter moment when Vijan spoke about working with Ajay-Atul for the first time. Joking about how much he had troubled the composers while working on the trailer, he quipped that Ajay Gogavale had effectively taken a subscription to Saridon because of him.

Vijan then shifted to a more serious note, praising the duo’s understanding of Maharashtra, its culture and its musical traditions. He described them as national treasures and said their respect for the region’s cultural identity made the collaboration particularly enriching.

The music is an important part of Eetha, with Ajay-Atul composing the film’s score. The trailer’s presentation also places considerable emphasis on the world of performance and the cultural setting surrounding its central character.

What is Eetha about?

Shraddha Kapoor plays Eetha Bai, a Lavani performer, in the film directed by Laxman Utekar. Randeep Hooda also stars, alongside Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub, Siddharth Jadhav, Ishtiyak Khan and Anant Joshi.

The film draws inspiration from incidents described in Tamasha: Vithabaichya Aayushyacha, a book based on the life of celebrated Lavani artist Vithabai Narayangaonkar. Utekar has clarified that Eetha is not a direct tribute to Vithabai, but takes inspiration from selected events in the book. That distinction is important when describing the film’s relationship with the real performer and her legacy.

At the trailer launch, Vijan also said the team had deliberately avoided revealing too much of the story in the promotional video. The intention, he explained, was to communicate the film’s atmosphere while preserving the theatrical experience.

Eetha release date and cast

Presented by Maddock Films and Kathputli Creations, Eetha is produced by Dinesh Vijan and Laxman Utekar. The film is directed by Utekar, with story and screenplay by Kshitij Patwardhan and Laxman Utekar. Its music is composed by Ajay-Atul, while Vaibhavi Merchant is credited as director of choreography.

Eetha is scheduled to release in cinemas on December 4, 2026.

The Celebrity Hour Take

Vijan’s statement is a major vote of confidence, but the real test will be how the performance connects with audiences when the film arrives in theatres. The role also gives Shraddha an opportunity to explore a performance tradition rooted in Maharashtra’s cultural history, rather than relying on the familiar territory of a mainstream romantic or horror-comedy lead.

The film’s reception will depend not just on the scale of its transformation, but on how convincingly it brings its character, music and cultural setting together. For now, the trailer launch has made one thing clear: the makers are positioning Eetha as an important chapter in Shraddha’s career.

Sources & Verification

This report uses the film’s official trailer and its published cast and crew credits, alongside coverage of the Mumbai trailer launch and the director’s clarification about the story’s literary inspiration. Dinesh Vijan’s remarks and the Saridon joke are attributed to his statements at the event.