If you had missed Deepika Padukone flash her golden smile on the greens of Eden Gardens during the just-concluded IPL, here is a chance to let the free-spirited girl charm you at a theatre near you on Friday. In Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani.

Advance booking for the Ranbir Kapoor-Deepika starrer began at Regent and Cinepolis on Wednesday. The first Hindi film to release after the IPL tournament will hit 23 shows across the city’s three cinemas, including Mona. Booking figures show that the hype for the film is intriguing.

After all, fighting it is difficult when songs like Balam pichkari, Badtameez dil and Dilliwaali girlfriend play on every music device in the city.

Kankerbagh resident Pankhuri, who turned up at Regent to book her show, said: “He (Ranbir) is my favourite star and I have not missed a single Ranbir Kapoor movie since he debuted in Saawariya. Though it was not a big hit, I loved his smile. He is very cute and handsome. I know that even in this movie he is going to give a performance similar to what he did in Barfi! and Rockstar.”

Regent started advance bookings from 12noon. It will screen five shows. Cinepolis, which has slotted 13 shows, started the bookings at 4pm. Cine goers keen on Mona will be able to book the tickets only on D-Day as the hall is undergoing renovation.

Ranbir is, of course, not the only crowd-puller in the Ayan Mukerji movie.

Mohit Kumar from Patliputra Colony, who was at Cinepolis to book tickets, said: “This is the first film after DDLJ (Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge) which seems to be melodious thanks to its songs. I don’t know what the story is but after seeing the promos, I guess it will be an entertainer. Deepika is one of the finest stars in Bollywood. She simply rocks.”

If the lead couple looks made for each other, there’s a second pair that could give them a run for the money.

Dev D girl Kalki Koechlin and Aashiqui 2 boy Aditya Roy Kapur play pals to Ranbir in the film. Incidentally, Aditya’s Aashiqui 2 released during the Indian Premier League on April 26. It did a business of around Rs 1.5 crore in Patna. Another release in Patna during the IPL — Nautanki Saala (April 11) starring Ayushmann Khurrana and Aditya’s brother Kunaal Roy Kapur — made Rs 12 lakh.

However, cinema owners are banking heavily on this Friday release as far as collections are concerned.

Regent onwer Sumar Kumar Sinha said: “After giving a scintillating performance in Barfi!, Ranbir is back with another excellent film. It is going to be a fantastic film and I am sure that it will create history and break all records. Look at the energy the stars have given to the film.”

Sinha said: “I am expecting the weekend shows to be houseful. We have sold half of the tickets for Friday. It will prove to be bumper opening not only in Bihar but in the country.”

Cinepolis manager Abhishek Ranjan is, however, looking ahead to the Ranbir-Deepika pairing. “It is a film for the youth and the chemistry between Ranbir and Deepika is one of the reasons that is pulling in the crowds. They were together in Bachna Ae Haseeno but it failed to create an impact at the box office. This one seems to be great because of all the actors,” he said.

Although, if anybody misses out on Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani this weekend, buddy film The Hangover 3 will also run at Cinepolis. Ranjan said four shows would be screened in English.