Maddock Films has officially unveiled the theatrical release dates for two of its upcoming biographical dramas, Prahaar – The Ujjwal Nikam Story and Eetha, marking a notable expansion of the studio’s slate beyond its successful horror-comedy franchise. According to the announcement, Prahaar – The Ujjwal Nikam Story is scheduled to arrive in cinemas on August 7, 2026, while Eetha will follow three weeks later on August 28, 2026.
The two projects place some of Bollywood’s most recognizable stars in real-life inspired roles. Prahaar – The Ujjwal Nikam Story stars Rajkummar Rao in the lead role, while Eetha features Shraddha Kapoor portraying legendary Marathi Lavani and Tamasha performer Vithabai Narayangaonkar.
Trade analyst Taran Adarsh highlighted the significance of the achievement on social media, noting that it is rare for a producer to have two major theatrical releases in the same month. Referring to Maddock Films founder Dinesh Vijan’s August schedule, he wrote:
“Rarely does a producer have two prominent releases in the same month, but Dinesh Vijan is set to achieve just that in August 2026. The month will begin and close with two prominent releases from Maddock Films, underlining yet another eventful chapter for Dinesh Vijan’s banner.”
Rajkummar Rao Headlines Courtroom Drama Prahaar
Prahaar – The Ujjwal Nikam Story reunites Rajkummar Rao with Maddock Films for a courtroom drama based on the life and career of renowned public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam. Directed by Avinash Arun and produced by Dinesh Vijan under the Maddock Films banner, the film is expected to explore some of the most significant legal battles associated with Nikam’s career.
Reports suggest that the narrative draws inspiration from the prosecutor’s involvement in several high-profile criminal cases, including the 1993 Mumbai blasts and the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks. While Maddock Films is widely known for commercial entertainers and horror-comedy blockbusters, Prahaar signals a move toward more grounded and serious storytelling.
For Rajkummar Rao, the project also represents a departure from several of his recent mainstream commercial outings, placing him in a role centered on legal proceedings, public service, and real-world events.
Shraddha Kapoor Takes on the Role of Vithabai Narayangaonkar in Eetha
The second announcement from Maddock Films concerns Eetha, a biographical drama directed by Laxman Utekar and headlined by Shraddha Kapoor. Scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release on August 28, 2026, the film is inspired by the life of celebrated Tamasha artist Vithabai Narayangaonkar, one of Maharashtra’s most influential folk performers.
The film is expected to trace different phases of Narayangaonkar’s personal and professional journey, spanning several decades from the 1940s through the 1990s. Through her story, the project aims to highlight the evolution of Lavani and Tamasha traditions while exploring the challenges and achievements that defined her career.
The role is being viewed as one of the most demanding performances of Shraddha Kapoor’s career, requiring the actor to portray multiple stages of the artist’s life. Reports indicate that principal photography concluded in May following an extensive shooting schedule across Maharashtra, including locations such as Mumbai, Solapur, Satara, Nashik, and Bhor.
The film also marks Kapoor’s first collaboration with director Laxman Utekar, whose previous work includes several commercially successful and critically appreciated Hindi films.
Maddock Expands Beyond Its Established Formula
Over the past few years, Maddock Films has built a strong identity through its horror-comedy universe. However, the announcements of Prahaar – The Ujjwal Nikam Story and Eetha indicate the studio’s continued interest in exploring a broader range of genres and real-life narratives.
In 2025, Maddock backed five theatrical releases, including Sky Force, Chhaava, Bhool Chuk Maaf, Param Sundari, and Thamma. The studio also released Tehran, starring John Abraham, directly on OTT. Among these titles, Chhaava emerged as one of the biggest successes of the year, while the diverse slate reflected Maddock’s willingness to explore historical dramas, romantic entertainers, action films, and genre-driven storytelling.
The announcement of Prahaar – The Ujjwal Nikam Story and Eetha further strengthens Maddock Films’ growing 2026 theatrical lineup. The production house has already released Ikkis this year and is set to follow it with Cocktail 2, directed by Homi Adajania and starring Shahid Kapoor, Kriti Sanon, and Rashmika Mandanna. The romantic drama is scheduled to arrive in cinemas on June 19, 2026.
With Cocktail 2 leading its summer slate, Maddock will then return in August with two distinctly different biographical dramas. Prahaar – The Ujjwal Nikam Story is slated for release on August 7, while Eetha will follow on August 28 during the Raksha Bandhan holiday frame.
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