Bhubaneswar, March 12: Theatre groups from educational institutes mostly consisting of amateur actors are battling it out for the crown at Sandhaan — a theatre competition and festival — at Bhanja Kala Mandap here.

The three-day event organised by youth organisation Y Club commenced on Monday.

The festival kicked off with the students of Utkal University presenting their play Banhi Balaya.

The play was about the protagonist Manas, a boy from modest background, who studies hard to get into a reputed college.

As Manas enters the college, his seniors, who are alcoholics and drug addicts, summon him. Manas meets Anni, another fresher and falls in love with her.

One of the seniors too is charmed by her beauty and makes an indecent proposal. Anni slaps him, for which the latter swears to avenge his humiliation.

As the story progresses, parents and friends of Manas become worried about his casual attitude towards studies.

Meanwhile, Manas forgets about his responsibility towards his parents, his affection for Anni and starts enjoying his time with the seniors by consuming drugs and alcohol.

Despite constant warnings, he refuses to mend his ways. As a result, Manas loses his life with overdose of drugs. The group Freshers presented the play.

Manas Kumar Sarangi, who also played the role of Manas’ father, directed the play.

Although, the play was serious in nature, it turned out to be unintentionally humorous because the acting was not up to the mark.

Most of the actors looked shaky and the script seemed much inspired from Hindi films. During the interactive session with the young actors, veteran theatre artiste Subodh Patnaik pointed out that a major flaw of the group’s presentation was that the sets were frequently changed.

“I liked the play not because of the presentation but because of the story. The guys from smaller town get a cultural shock and give in to the razzmatazz of the city dwellers. These youngsters were not enacting, they were telling their story,” said Tushar Meher, a member of the audience.

The second group contesting on Monday night was Pragati from Institute of Media Studies. Their play Mitha Bisa also targeted the menace of addiction.

The protagonist was Vijay Dash, a school student, who sees his father smoke cigarettes, notices his teacher consuming tobacco and observes other addicts.

Vijay has an impressionable mind and also wants to try them. Written by Pranati Sahoo, the play depicted the harmful effects of such addictions.

On Tuesday evening, institutes such as CET, KIIT and NIIS will showcase their play on other social issues.

Awards will be given to best actor, script, director and group on the concluding day.