Crowd outside Regent and (below) Mona to watch Bbuddah... Hoga Terra Baap and Delhi Belly in Patna on Friday. Pictures by Nagendra Kumar Singh

Patna, July 1: When it’s a choice between Aamir Khan and Amitabh Bachchan, it’s difficult to pick one. Cine enthusiasts, however, were forced to make a choice today when the much-awaited Delhi Belly and Bbuddah... Hoga Terra Baap released on the same day in the same theatres.

While Delhi Belly is running four shows — 9.45am, 12 noon, 2.15pm and 4.30pm — at Mona, Bbuddah… is running one show at Regent (12.30pm) and two shows in Mona (6.30pm and 9.30pm).

Aamir Khan seemed to be bigger draw on the first day, courtesy the item number where the actor dons a retro look to perform the “return of disco fighter”.

Delhi Belly is being screened in only one theatre because of unavailability of reel, said theatre officials. This helped Bbuddah… get some more audience as those enthusiasts who could not get Delhi Belly tickets decided to watch the angry old man, err the young man, in a new avatar.

Youths looked more keen to watch the Delhi bachelors go berserk on screen because of the young cast of the film — Imran Khan, Vir Das and Kunaal Roy Kapur. Also weird lyrics like Bhaag bhaag DK Bose, DK Bose, DK Bose… and Jaa chudail, jaa chudail attracted the youngsters to the film. Aamir’s item number, however, remained the most talked-about song of the film.

“I haven’t watched Aamir Khan after 3 Idiots. He was a part of Dhobi Ghat but the film was really boring and frustrating. When I saw Aamir’s item song on television, I decided to watch the movie on the first day of its release. I must say I was thrilled to see him in the Elvis Presley avatar doing Mithun Chakraborty steps to perfection. Like others, I too consider him as the ‘perfectionist’ and he has proved it again in the item song I love you like I hate you,” said Priyesh Singh, a resident of Kankerbagh.

He further said: “It is funny to see Aamir Khan wearing a funky and bright silver costume with a pair of retro sunglasses. The hairstyle and hairy chest give the act a loud look. I think Aamir can carry off any costume and style.”

Ayush Kumar, a resident of Boring Road, said: “Imran Khan’s character is really interesting. The film is funny and cynical. It has got all kind of characters and all of them look very real. A lot of foul language has been used in the film but the director has done it in a way that it sounds humourous and not obscene. The film deserves a standing ovation and me and my friends did exactly that when the film got over.”

All shows of Delhi Belly are booked in advance for the next two days whereas tickets for Bbuddah... shows are easily available. “Delhi Belly will attract more crowd because it is a short film. This is the reason why we have decided to run four shows of Delhi Belly and two shows of Bbuddah.... Initially, we were confused which film to screen more but after seeing the promos, songs and item number of Aamir Khan, we thought Delhi Belly will be more profitable than Bbuddah...,” said a senior official of Mona theatre.

Many cinegoers were seen demanding more shows of Delhi Belly. Prakash Singh, a resident of Buddha Colony, said: “I wanted to watch Delhi Belly but did not get the ticket. So I had to watch Bbuddah.... The film is not bad but I don’t think Amitabh Bachchan should go for such kind of roles where a man, about to touch 70, is fighting bad guys. It is not possible in reality. I know there was a time when he used to be the angry young man but it can’t go on forever.”

Another enthusiast who watched Bbuddah... said: “Amitabh looked really funny riding bikes, like Harley Davidson. The film is entertaining But there is nothing new in it. Only solace is Amitabh’s voice in the song but we have heard that many times before.”