The Bengal Story Bureau: Bollywood actor Shraddha Kapoor has tripled her acting remuneration, reportedly charging Rs 15 crore for her upcoming biographical drama Eetha. The substantial fee hike follows the massive box-office success of Stree 2, which broke multiple revenue records earlier this year.
In the Laxman Utekar directorial, Kapoor will portray the legendary Maharashtrian Tamasha artist Vithabai Narayangaonkar. Industry sources suggest that producer Dinesh Vijan, who previously backed Kapoor in the Stree franchise, supported the pay increase because he views the ambitious biopic as a turning point in her career.
The Shraddha Kapoor Fees Jump
The reported Rs 15 crore paycheck establishes Kapoor among the highest-paid actresses in the Hindi film industry. Her previous fee structure was considerably lower. For the horror-comedy Stree 2, she reportedly received Rs 5 crore, which was less than the Rs 6 crore paid to her co-star Rajkummar Rao. Her fee for the Luv Ranjan comedy Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar was estimated at Rs 7 crore.
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Following the Eetha deal, industry insiders claim Kapoor is planning to negotiate a Rs 20 crore fee for her next major project. She is expected to play Madhuri Jain Grover, the wife of BharatPe co-founder Ashneer Grover, in an upcoming biographical film.
Title Controversy Surrounding Eetha
As the financial details generate interest, the film is simultaneously dealing with public protests over its title. The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) Film and Cultural Department has officially objected to the name Eetha. Party leaders argue that the title disrespects the legacy of Vithabai Narayangaonkar, who played a crucial role in preserving Maharashtra’s traditional Tamasha art form.
The political objection has received direct support from Vithabai’s family. Her sons Kailash and Rajesh, along with her grandson Mohit, have demanded that the producers rename the film to Vitha or Vithabai.
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Addressing the controversy, actor Anant V Joshi, who features in the movie, told the media that the producers selected the current name to avoid legal complications. The film also stars Randeep Hooda and Mohammad Zeeshan Ayyub, and it is aiming for an August release.
