All posts tagged: Laxman Utekar

Shraddha Kapoor’s Eetha in trouble, Vithabai Narayangaonkar’s family demands title change | Bollywood News

Shraddha Kapoor’s Eetha in trouble, Vithabai Narayangaonkar’s family demands title change | Bollywood News

3 min readMumbaiJun 29, 2026 11:42 AM IST Actress Shraddha Kapoor is set to make an impressive return to the big screen after Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar. Her latest film Eetha is a biopic on a Lavani artist, Vithabai Narayangaonkar. While Shraddha impressed everyone with her transformation in the film’s teaser, Eetha seems to have landed in an unexpected controversy. According to reports on TV9 Marathi, Vithabai’s family, as well as the National Congress Party (NCP), has raised an objection to the film’s title. They have questioned why Vithabai’s name doesn’t feature in the film’s title and have also demanded that the film’s name be changed. Shraddha Kapoor Eetha title row According to reports, NCP’s film and cultural department has questioned Eetha’s makers as to why they didn’t put Vithabai’s name in the title. Vithabai Narayangaonkar’s family has also demanded that the film should be named Vitha or Vithabai, giving due recognition to the legendary folk artist. Babasaheb Patil, the state president of Maharashtra, said that it is the party’s responsibility to respect and honour …

Eetha teaser out! Shraddha Kapoor takes the stage by storm

Eetha teaser out! Shraddha Kapoor takes the stage by storm

While audiences walked into theatres cheering for Cocktail 2, they came out in awe after the teaser of Eetha wreaked havoc online. However, the glimpse was leaked online, with netizens going gaga over Shraddha Kapoor’s transformation into legendary folk dancer Vithabai Narayangaonkar. Now, Maddock Films and Kathputli Creations have unveiled the highly anticipated teaser of Eetha, offering a striking first glimpse into what promises to be one of the most powerful and emotionally resonant films of the year. Eetha teaser out The teaser offers a glimpse into one of the most remarkable chapters of Vithabai’s life. It shows her character heavily pregnant and preparing to take the stage despite being on the verge of childbirth. Moments later, she appears on stage and continues the show after giving birth to her child backstage. When she is warned that her life is in danger, we hear her saying, “Pade pade mari toh bechari kehlaungi, nachte hue mari toh misaal ban jaungi. (If I die while simply lying around, people would call me a helpless woman, but if …

Randeep Hooda turned down Aurangzeb role in Chhaava: ‘Too much Hindu-Muslim narrative’ | Bollywood News

Randeep Hooda turned down Aurangzeb role in Chhaava: ‘Too much Hindu-Muslim narrative’ | Bollywood News

2 min readNew DelhiMay 25, 2026 06:07 PM IST When Chhaava released in 2025, it not only emerged as one of the highest-grossing films of the year but also earned widespread praise for Akshaye Khanna’s powerful portrayal of Aurangzeb. However, before Akshaye came on board, the role was reportedly offered to Randeep Hooda. At the time, Randeep was already dealing with controversies surrounding his film Swatantrya Veer Savarkar and decided against taking up another politically sensitive project. Explaining his decision, the actor said he “didn’t want to get into the whole Hindu-Muslim thing.” Recently, Randeep opened up about why he turned down Chhaava. “I love Laxman as a director and as a person. He had first approached me for Aurangzeb in Chhaava. At that time, I was extremely underweight and had my head shaved because I had just wrapped shooting for Savarkar and was busy with post-production. I was also dealing with an IP court case. There was already so much Hindu-Muslim narrative surrounding everything that I just didn’t want to go down that road …

When Chhaava director Laxman Utekar said there was no one better than AR Rahman for film’s score: ‘Wanted wide approach’

When Chhaava director Laxman Utekar said there was no one better than AR Rahman for film’s score: ‘Wanted wide approach’

Celebrated music composer AR Rahman sparked controversy when he called Chhaava, the 2025 blockbuster, a divisive film in a recent interview. The composer also touched upon a communal divide in the film industry in this interview, sparking both serious backlash and support for him. Now, an old interview with director Laxman Utekar has resurfaced, where he said Rahman was the perfect choice for Chhaava’s score. AR Rahman recently faced backlash about his statements on Chhaava. Laxman Utekar on AR Rahman In May, Laxman Utekar spoke to Mamaraazi about Chhaava and his career. Chhaava was based on the life of Maratha ruler Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj (played by Vicky Kaushal). Rahman scored the film’s music. When asked about bringing in non-Marathi people like Rahman, Vicky, female lead Rashmika, and lyricist Irshad Kamil for the biopic of a Maratha king, Laxman explained, “I did not want them to catch the flavour of Marathas; otherwise, I would have made this film in Marathi. I wanted to make the film in Hindi so that the world knows about it. I …

Vicky Kaushal Rejects The Idea Of Calling ‘Desh Prem A Formula For Films’ | Bollywood News

Vicky Kaushal Rejects The Idea Of Calling ‘Desh Prem A Formula For Films’ | Bollywood News

Last Updated:December 20, 2025, 12:45 IST Vicky Kaushal was honoured for his role in Chhaava. The film also featured Rashmika Mandanna and Akshaye Khanna. Vicky Kaushal was in Delhi for the award show. (Photo Credit: X) Vicky Kaushal is on cloud nine. The actor recently welcomed his first child, a baby boy, with actress-wife Katrina Kaif. Now, he has received a special honour for his performance as Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, the son of Chhatrapati Shivaji, in Chhaava. The actor, at the award show, also shared his two cents on the rise of patriotic films in Bollywood. Vicky, speaking at NDTV awards, said,“ Desh Prem kabhi formula nahi ho sakta. I think desh prem ko formula kehna desh prem ki insult hai. Desh prem humari sacchai hai aur woh sacchai hum entertainment, filmon, literature ke zariye hum humesha dikhate rahenge. World map par hum kisi bhi zariye se ye dikha sake and we can put a foot in the door and say we are proud of the diversity of our country, our legacy and the truth …

Shraddha Kapoor gets injured on Eetha set, suffers a fracture while shooting dance number; here’s what we know

Shraddha Kapoor gets injured on Eetha set, suffers a fracture while shooting dance number; here’s what we know

Fan favourite Shraddha Kapoor is one of the most active celebrities on social media. But it’s been over a year after her last release Stree 2 (2024) that we have seen the actor shine on the silver screen in a film. Audiences are now getting antsy, eagerly waiting for an update about Shraddha’s next project. The actor had reportedly begun shooting for Laxman Utekar’s next film Eetha this month. But latest buzz has revealed that the shoot was put on halt after Shraddha sustained an injury on set. The Stree actor suffered from a fractured toe while shooting a dance number. Shraddha Kapoor According to a report shared by Mid-Day, Shraddha Kapoor was performing Lavani, a traditional folk dance and music form from Maharashtra, when the accident happened. A source was quoted saying, “Lavani music characteristically has fast-paced beats and a quick tempo. In this number composed by Ajay-Atul, Shraddha — sporting a vibrant Nauvari saree, heavy jewellery, and a kamarpatta — had to perform a series of steps in succession, to the beats of …

EXCLUSIVE: Randeep Hooda to play the lead in Laxman Utekar’s next opposite Shraddha Kapoor

EXCLUSIVE: Randeep Hooda to play the lead in Laxman Utekar’s next opposite Shraddha Kapoor

After the success of Chhaava, director Laxman Utekar is gearing up for his next ambitious project — a biopic drama inspired by the life of legendary Lavani and Tamasha artiste, Vithabai Narayangaonkar. While the makers of the film are totally kicked to shoot, Pinkvilla has exclusively learned that Eetha movie will feature Randeep Hooda in the lead role, opposite Shraddha Kapoor. A source close to the development revealed, “The shoot commences end of this month in Mumbai. Randeep plays the romantic lead opposite Shraddha…the makers are extremely confident about the casting, as both Randeep and Shraddha bring depth and versatility that fit perfectly with Utekar’s vision.” The film aims to celebrate the life and legacy of Vithabai Narayangaonkar, one of Maharashtra’s most revered folk artists, whose contribution to Lavani and Tamasha remains unparalleled. Known for her commanding stage presence and soulful performances, Vithabai earned two President’s Awards for her work in preserving and popularising Indian folk culture.  Well, the project marks a unique collaboration between Randeep Hooda and Shraddha Kapoor, pairing two actors known for …

Chhaava: Vicky Kaushal’s worrisome streak hits an all-time low; who’ll take responsibility for inciting violence? | Bollywood News

Chhaava: Vicky Kaushal’s worrisome streak hits an all-time low; who’ll take responsibility for inciting violence? | Bollywood News

One of Javed Akhtar’s favourite stories to tell is about fishing. Regardless of the venue — it could be an international seminar or one of those ‘naastik parishad’ meetings that he enjoys attending — he regales the audience with a carefully constructed bit about why fishing is considered a relaxing recreational activity while hunting is mostly outlawed across the world. The only reason for this, he declares in his punchline, is because fish don’t have vocal chords. They can’t shriek in agony when they’re pierced by a hook, scaled alive, and left to suffocate. Fishing has great PR, as do the folks behind the blockbuster film Chhaava, even though it incited a riot. It is ironic, you’d agree, that at a time when the Central Board of Film Certification is taking active measures to prevent films from causing religious or political disharmony, a movie that actually encourages the right-wing is being celebrated as the industry’s saviour. It’s doubly ironic that former adversaries Kangana Ranaut and Diljit Dosanjh find themselves on the same side, having had …

Chhaava Box Office Collection Day 31: Vicky Kaushal’s Film Smashing It Like A Boss, Earns Rs 560 Crore

Chhaava Box Office Collection Day 31: Vicky Kaushal’s Film Smashing It Like A Boss, Earns Rs 560 Crore

Last Updated:March 17, 2025, 10:32 IST Vicky Kaushal’s Chhaava, directed by Laxman Utekar, is the highest-grossing Hindi film of 2025, earning Rs 560.67 crore in India and Rs 750.50 crore globally. Chhaava Box Office Collection Day 31. Vicky Kaushal’s Chhaava is a marathon runner that simply refuses to stop! Even on Day 31, this historical action drama is still flexing its muscles at the box office. After a roaring start, Chhaava holds its ground despite fresh releases. Fans are still queuing up to watch Vicky bring the legendary Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj to life with all the swag and intensity you’d expect. With Chhaava still going full throttle, the film has raked in a massive Rs 560.67 crore India net, according to early estimates by Sacnilk. And guess what? It’s all set to smash past the Rs 600 crore mark by the end of the day. As of Sunday, March 16 (Day 31), Chhaava had already pocketed a solid Rs 6.02 crore. Sure, Chhaava’s numbers may have dipped a bit compared to its earlier days, but …

Chhaava box office collection day 19: Rashmika Mandanna beats this incredible Shah Rukh Khan record as Vicky Kaushal’s blockbuster nears Rs 650 crore | Bollywood News

Chhaava box office collection day 19: Rashmika Mandanna beats this incredible Shah Rukh Khan record as Vicky Kaushal’s blockbuster nears Rs 650 crore | Bollywood News

The historical drama Chhaava, starring Vicky Kaushal in the lead role, has emerged as one of the biggest Hindi-language films of all time. The movie is running in its third week now, and is making the most of a lack of competition. Chhaava will soon pass the Rs 500 crore mark domestically, becoming one of the rare films to do so. It would also mark the second time that a film produced by Dinesh Vijan’s Maddock Films banner has achieved this feat, after last year’s Stree 2. According to industry tracker Sacnilk, Chhaava collected Rs 5.5 crore on Tuesday, which takes its grand total in India to Rs 472 crore. It should be able to pass the Rs 500 crore mark this weekend. Chhaava is not only Vicky’s highest-grossing film, it’s now also one of the highest-earning Indian films ever made, having overtaken Aamir Khan’s Dangal and Ranbir Kapoor’s Sanju. On the all-time list of Hindi movies, Chhaava is currently ranked eight, just behind Ranbir’s Animal. If you were to remove the first and sixth …