Kota Factory Season 3 is streaming now on Netflix. From Season 1 that gets away with being an ad film trying to be 3 Idiots, to being overtly academic – the series manages to catch eyeballs. Now Kota Factory Season 3 follows up on the story
Kota where lakhs of students go every year with a goal to crack IIT, NEET etc., has over the years continued to be a hub of education. The series is evidently set in this small town that became the most sought after destination in India for its coaching institutes, the grueling study schedules, the unlimited examinations, and the dreams that turn into realities and the hearts of the young students that break over not cracking the entrance.
The first episode starts with 11th student Vaibhav Pandey trying to get his admission into Maheshwari Classes, supposedly the most premium institute that guarantees a seat in IIT the most premium course in India. But, he doesn’t make it and chooses the next best’ Prodigy’. Then the episodes one after are about how he gets over his ears, makes friends Uday and Meena and how his confidence levels raise with some guidance from the young fun loving faculty Jeetu Bhayya portrayed by Jitendra Kumar of Panchayat fame.
The series is quite relatable like the film 3 Idiots as it gently but surely comments on the extremely commercial coaching centre business, the aftermath of obsessing over the entrance exam which becomes the only goal of parents and students as well. With simple characterization, some good casting and an engaging script the first season of the web series turns out to be quite a watch. This is despite the blatant plugging of unacademy App advertising, which is perhaps the main purpose of the Season 1 of the web series.
Even while criticising the excesses of the system that has become the major economy in this otherwise sleepy town known for its textiles and history – the series does end up glorifying Kota. To give the devil its due, every year some of the students who train in these institutions at Kota do crack IITs and other competitive exams. But, it is also true that lakhs of them do not make it. And, in recent times there have been several cases of students taking their lives, not to mention undergoing depression and other health issues.
By not speaking about the dark side of Kota – in a way the web series appeared to be an ad film trying to be 3 Idiots and an attempt to repair the damage to the brand image of Kota.
At a time when students must be made to understand there are other options than Medicine and Engineering to obsess over web series Kota Factory is only adding to the hype, which is its undoing. The fact that it is well made, and that the promotion is seamlessly integrated into the story is commendable and a case study for effective advertising.
With second season unacademy exits and the story begins with Vaibhav going to Maheshwari classes and Jeetu Bhaiyya opening a new institute. While Vaibhav struggles with his challenges including a health issue, Jeetu is busy setting ‘Aimers’ his coaching institute and employing new teachers, he continues to be the Agony Aunt for the kids, and the story continues.
Despite the short comings Kota Factory has managed to catch the pulse of the students with a well made drama on the journey of the struggle throwing in some romance, a whole lot of friendship and companionship that makes growing up joy in ample doses.
Along the way the series began to be about youngsters exploring their thoughts, insecurities, fear and vulnerabilities that come with the age whether they are trying to crack the most premium exam or not. Season 3 also explores the underbelly of Kota suicides.
Kota Factory Season 3 started streaming on Netflix.
