Weekend Manorajan: Kota Factory

Weekend Manorajan: Kota Factory Season 3 

A review of Netflix and TVF's Kota Factory Season 3. 

Director: Pratish Mehta

Created by: Raghav Sabbu 

Produced by: Arunabh Kumar 

Cast: Jitendra Kumar, Tillotoma Shome, Rajesh Kumar, Sohila Kapur 

Where to watch: Netflix (All three seasons) 

Kota Factory is painful to watch as a former science student. I have lived every second frame of this show (minus being enrolled in Kota's very own factory). The competitiveness among students, the pressure to perform, the disappointment of not being selected for good schools or colleges, and juggling between the BAUs (love life, practical copies, and board exams)—the emotions carried by this show just hit home.

Kota Factory tells a simple storyline of three aspirants and the ecosystem around them as they try to navigate the challenges brought by one of the most competitive exams in Asia—the JEE. The trio face their own set of challenges, from jealousy to financial constraints, but are guided back on track by their mentor, Jeetu Bhaiya. The beauty of this show lies in how it incorporates the universally acknowledged challenges students face while preparing for the exam, which is why it garnered so much love and respect from audiences.

Jitendra Kumar's character, Jeetu Bhaiya, is seen mentoring the students at every step of their lives, going above and beyond his role as their tutor to guide them. Being so overly involved in their daily lives leads him to question whether he should set some boundaries. The brilliant metaphoric depiction of the decaying walls of his home suggests that something is bothering Jeetu Bhaiya, affecting his refreshing teaching style and attitude towards his students.

What is most refreshing about his character is his value system. Unlike most teachers, he is committed to nurturing his students to the best of their abilities, rather than just turning them into 'rankers.' One of my favourite aspects of his character is that he wants his students to have a successful preparation, not just to win a rank or get into top engineering or medical colleges.

The five-episode-long season features simple storylines that conclude within the episode duration. In each episode, there is a central character facing challenges, and by the end, the character has undergone positive development and is optimistic about their future. How sweet is that?

"The show hits home." This phrase attached to the show goes beyond the storyline. It reflects the fact that I have lived a very similar life to the characters. Additionally, the use of black-and-white cinematography is a strategic decision, evoking nostalgia for the viewer and the claustrophobia felt by students. This is exactly what it feels like when you sit for hours preparing for a competitive exam.

Fin. 

Authored by: Mehak Mathur