Film buffs enter Mona for a show of Mausam in Patna on Friday. Picture by Nagendra Kumar Singh

Patna, Sept. 23: Pankaj Kapur’s directorial debut Mausam received a favourable response from cinegoers in the state, even if it released a week later than promised.

A classic journey of love spanning a decade, Mausam revolves around Harry (Shahid) and a Kashmiri refugee, Aayat (Sonam). Mona is running four shows, while Cinepolis is screening three. But Shahid and Sonam fans have more hope for the weekend as the city’s sole multiplex is planning to run six more shows from tomorrow, courtesy the first day response to the film.

Shahid in his role of Squadron Leader Harrinder Singh is seen flying fighter planes for the first time in his Bollywood career.

Girls, who turned up to watch the film today, were definitely not complaining.

“Shahid is looking very handsome. He looks like a real pilot. If he did not fly a fighter plane, it would have been disappointing as his role demanded it. We are thankful to his father, Pankaj Kapur, who gave him this privilege,” said Rishima Singh, a resident of Kankerbagh. She had gone to Mona theatre.

The film shows the demolition of Babri Masjid in 1992 after which Harry and Aayat get separated. “No doubt Pankaj Kapur is one of the finest actors the Hindi film industry has seen. He has tried his level best to choose the right platform to shoot his film. The film does not deal with any sensational topic and justice has been done to the script by giving the film a classical look to the characters,” said Prakash Thakur, a resident of Lodhipur area outside Mona theatre.

The audience also found Sonam’s Aayat lovely although many felt that she lacked in dramatic scenes. “She is looking awesome in the film, very cute and energetic. But somewhere, she has not given her best when it came to give respect to a character (Harry) who serves in the air force. She was, however, excellent in the scene where the two characters meet after a long time at a dinner,” Minakshi Sharma, a student of Magadh Mahila College.

A few objections were also raised on mixing varied events on one platform for the film. “The burning issue of the Kashmir valley, Ayodhya, Operation Blue Star, 1992 Bombay bomb blasts, the 9/11 attack and Godhra carnage have all been blended in the love story. The story would been much better if the director had not mixed so many issues in the film. I am not an expert on film industry but this is what I felt after watching the movie. Although I have to say that the film was good and entertaining, the songs were also good,” said Sanjay Kumar, another cinegoer at Cinepolis.