Based on a story written by J.K. Rowling, John Tiffany and Jack Thorne, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is a play by Thorne, which premiered in London's West End on July 30, and is set 19 years after the Battle of Hogwarts.

The script-book of Cursed Child saw a simultaneous release in bookstores across the world on Sunday, July 31. The book "opens at the close", with the same sequence in the epilogue of Deathly Hallows titled Nineteen Years Later, with Harry and Ginny Potter, Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley seeing their children off to Hogwarts from Platform 9¾.

Albus Severus Potter, Harry's second child, is starting at Hogwarts along with Hermione and Ron's daughter Rose.

It is Albus and his unlikely friendship with Scorpius Malfoy, the son of Draco Malfoy, that is the star of the script, even if the heart of it is how the past casts a shadow on the present, and how the players get caught up in it and deal with it. The world is revelling in Harry Potter mania and so are fans in Bhubaneswar with the launch of the Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.

Ever since the release, bookstores in the state capital have been welcoming Potter lovers. Potterheads from various schools and colleges have been queuing up at the bookshops to grab a copy of the book.

They all believe they are in for a treat. The Telegraph followed the fans at bookstores.

Oxford Bookstore, Jayadev Vihar

Arup Ranjan, a student, has been saving up since the last few weeks to buy the book.

"I have always bought all of my favourite books by saving and not asking for the money from my parents. And when it comes to a Potter book, I always follow this. I skipped my meals a number of times over the last few days to save up the amount I need to buy the book," he said. He made sure he pre-ordered his book too.

Harshal Mohapatra, a Class VI student of Loyola School in Bhubaneswar, who had never read a Harry Potter book before, could not resist following in her enthusiastic friends' footsteps this time.

"I had heard a lot about the books but I was more interested in reading Indian novels. Many friends in school told me the background of the series and I found it really interesting. With everyone around me talking about Potter, I did not want to be left behind," he said. So excited was he that he bought the entire Potter series along with the latest book.

On Sunday, the store sold a total of 108 copies. There were also 55 pre-order copies. "We had to order our second consignment on the same day as we had run out of stock, the demand is so high. The weekday sales have also been consistent," said an Oxford Bookstore spokesperson.

Crossword, Patia

Jyotirmoy Das, who works at a store, braved the heavy downpour on Thursday to grab a copy of the book.

"I work from early morning till late night so I have not been able to buy the book. Sunday is the busiest day for me so I could not come out that day either. But I just couldn't wait any more and asked my senior for a half-day," said an elated Das. "I will go home and enjoy the book over a cup of coffee and join office after the lunch hour. The combination of rain and a Harry Potter book is splendid!" The store sold more than 10 copies on Thursday. "The book has been selling like hotcakes. We have ordered for more. We dare not upset Potter fans," said storeowner Suvendu Patra.

AK Mishra Agencies Bookstore, Vani Vihar Square

With Utkal University and Rama Devi Women's University nearby, students from these institutions have been rushing to the store to grab their copy featuring their childhood hero. A number of corporate employees and hostel boarders in the area have become regular visitors to the store since Sunday. When The Telegraph visited the store, it met three friends - Chinmayee Rayguru, Megha Goswami and Dulari Tudu - all undergraduate students at Rama Devi Women's University.

"I have not missed a single Harry Potter book or movie. With Rowling not being the sole writer of this book, I look forward to more fun and excitement," said Chinmayee.

Asked to pose, they lifted the books above their heads in unison and yelled: "We love Harry Potter!" Diploma student Dushmant Sahoo said: "My elder bother introduced me to Harry Potter in school. By the time I went to college, I had read them all. My exams are on but I don't care because Harry Potter comes first, always."

KIIT International School library

The school had taken the unique initiative to make the book available to the students. Twenty copies of the book are at the library for the students to read. With many of the students being Potterheads, the books were off the shelves in two days.

Mihir Kumar Swain was lucky to grab the first copy. "I wanted to read it as soon as possible. I am eager to know about Harry's kids and what happens at Hogwarts. It will be like reliving memories with Harry," said the young fan. "We have always encouraged our students to read. With Potter fever running high among our students, we made sure that copies of the book reached the library on the day of the release," said Sanjay Suar, principal of the school.