Kota Factory (Season 3)
Introduction
Engineering and my life thereon, has been an integral part of my life. Like any household that opts for their children to be a Doctor or an Engineer, I too had taken that decision back in the day. And with that decision, I knew that I had signed up for some searing life choices that would be filled be obstacles along the way. I had always been a good student which is why I have a strong recollection about my twin competitive exam ‘failures’, one being the CET examination and the other GATE(an exam for post graduation degree MTech). I still remember the kind of disappointment engulfing me knowing the amount of hardwork that I had put in, but somehow on that given day, the stars weren’t quite aligned in my favour. And because you may have worked as hard, it becomes that much more difficult to restart and give the exams again(thankfully my CET marks were enough for an admission in a reputed college while I didn’t pursue MTech after the GATE debacle). The point that I wish to get is that, it definitely isn’t the end of the world and there are innumerous opportunities that follow(Popcorn Reviewss came into my life much later). But everytime I read the news about young students committing suicide even during the preparatory phase of IIT, it really breaks my heart!
It was in 2019 that I stumbled upon what turned out to be one of my favourite shows from TVF titled Kota Factory, that literally spoke my language of Engineering(yes, the preparatory phase of IIT) and within it, also imparted several life lessons along the way. Not only were the proceedings relatable(like most TVF shows are) but what caught my attention was the style of filmmaking. The creative decision to shoot the entire show in black and white was a genius one, something that resonated with the mundane and tense mood of the drama depicting the bland lives of the IIT aspirants on the show. And since then, the show did go from strength to strength gaining a cult status of sorts. And so like everyone else, I too was keenly awaiting the release of the third season of Kota Factory which is finally streaming on Netflix. Does it manage to impress, let’s find out.
Story & Screenplay
The third season of Kota Factory follows the chronicles of the characters even as the D-Day of their examination approaches closer. And thus, the story here is in a way a culmination of their 2-year journey at Kota which in many ways has been a life altering experience of sorts. But the question remains on whether the group will crack the IIT-JEE? The story here goes a notch deeper with its writing, particularly with respect to the psyche of Jeetu Bhaiya and the kind of vulnerability that he is undergoing. This is almost similar to the pressures faced by his students who are relentless in their preparation for the exam, even while dealing with their own set of issues, the same of which is highlighted in a screenplay standing at 5 episodes ranging from 40 odd minutes to an hour.
The main conflict in the drama is highlighted almost immediately in a searing scene depicting the decaying mental health of Jeetu Bhaiya. In the scene prior to that, you see a buzz about the sudden disappearance of Jeetu Bhaiya, even as the final year of the preparations has begun. The camera cuts to the home of Jeetu Bhaiya featuring a decaying apple and seepage through the walls of his house. The latter in particular is reflective of his mental health which is deteriorating, even while being overwhelmed by all the connections that he has formed with his students. He still manages to get a hold himself while taking therapy and returns to his teaching job while being a mentor. This journey of his, not feeling himself but still pushing it out there was perfectly in sync with the journey of his students who are mentally strained, but still pulling through day in and day out.
The proceedings are engaging and relatable with the typical TVF show format of unfolding the drama almost as a chapter from the lives of characters in Kota. So each of the characters have their share of problems and anxieties that they need to handle – be it that of money or the fear of being ridiculed or even left behind in the rat race. I did feel that there was a minor dip in the proceedings at about the halfway mark where the focus was a little more on Jeetu Bhaiya and his mental issues(that also caused a little tiff with his colleague), and less on the actual preparation of other characters. But the drama definitely does correct itself quickly following a minor accident involving one of the characters that in a way focuses the drama towards its end goal.
The final episode of the third season will have to go down as my absolute favourite given that there were so many emotions in play from the word go. From a rather unexpected news regarded one of the characters to the build up of tension leading to the D-Day, there were genuine moments of anxiety that transcended from the screens and converted into jittery emotions for the viewers. The entire sequence involving a character reaching the examination hall will have to be one of the most traumatic and terrifying sequences of recent times. But the amount of emotions that follow in the final 30 minutes are beautiful, enough to pierce your heart and make you shed a tear or two even as characters meet and part while friendship stays on. This was clearly the end of an era while a new era in the chapters of Kota await the characters, some new and some familiar. The screenplay here is again superbly penned and makes for a wonderful watch.
Dialogues, Music & Direction
The dialogues are filled with pearls of wisdom(usually at the end of every episode) that accounts for a philosophical watch. The lines are conversational but quite heartfelt that also contribute to a bunch of emotions along the way. The music is wonderful and really hits the sweet spot with all the emotions in store. The Amit Trivedi number at the end just hit home. The BGM is equally good, frequently accompanying the narrative in almost every scene, thereby making it an endearing watch. The cinematography is once again excellent with its monochrome frames that perfectly depict the mood of the drama. Also each of the frames depict a story of their own, be it the seepage that is reflective of the declining psyche of Jeetu Bhaiya or the final shot involving two characters departing probably for the final time, almost similar to the Furious 7 finale. There is a lot of thought put into the frames. The editing is crisp and sharp while seldom stalling the drama at any juncture. Director Pratish Mehta is now a name synonymous with multiple shows of TVF, and he does well in understanding the world of Kota and incorporating the show with some searing problems faced by the IIT aspirants accompanied by byproducts of anxiety and depression. The ambience created is almost perfect while the director controls sequences very well and allows emotions to seep through the hearts of the viewers. The conflicts and the resolution would be simplistic but it does account for a rather heartfelt watch.
Performances
The performances are wonderful by the ensemble cast. Urvi Singh as Meenal is good but has very little to do here in a touch underwritten role. Sohaila Kapur as Dr Sudha does a swell job, maintaining the poise of her character really well. Satvik Bhatia as Minku has a good screen presence and does a good job. Rajesh Kumar as Gagan is sincere and endearing and pulls off his character with a lot of grace. And you can see his sincerity even in some of the confrontational scenes while willing to take a back seat even when the argument isn’t tilted in his favour. The softness yet firmness in his character was a tricky balance which was played with utmost care in the gentlest manner by Rajesh in what was a subtly heartfelt act. Tillotama Shome as Pooja is a welcome addition to the show, and she does a wonderful job here. Her body language is heartwarming while she delivers a wonderfully restrained act. It is clear that she will have a major role to play in the subsequent seasons with the exit of an important character. Revathi Pillai as Vartika is affable and she showcases her fear of being ridiculed rather well. Ahsaas Channa as Shivangi is a breath of fresh air and she pulls off her character with a flair of assertiveness. Yes, there are moments of vulnerability related to her character too and that is where you see her range as an actor.
Alam Khan as Uday is a character that I didn’t quite find to be affable back in season one. But as the seasons have progressed, you also get to see the maturity of his character in terms of being caring towards people around him. This is in contrast to the carefree attitude that he reserves for himself, and he does a wonderful job here. Ranjan Raj as Meena is wonderfully understated and consistent with the tone of his character. A simpleton and a hustler, he maintains these two virtues wonderfully in his character in what was an incredible act. Mayur More as Vaibhav is outstanding to the core almost internalizing his performance by bottling up all the external pressures around him, while confidently continuing his preparations. But there is more to him in terms of insecurity and vulnerability which are byproducts of his character. And that is where Mayur rises to the challenge in putting up a towering act.
Jitendra Kumar aka Jeetu Bhaiya will go down as one of the most endearing and heartwarming characters that each one of us deserve in the form of mentors. But as they say, even the most positiveky motivating personalities have their periods of anxiety and bouts of depression, and the same is perfectly represented through his character. And once again, he is brilliant to the core, deftly touching upon his vulnerabilities while putting up a tough exterior(often through a happy face). This season did highlight the humane aspects of his character, and he was wonderful to watch all over again. Can’t get myself to bid goodbye to his character, my heart says we shall meet again!
Conclusion
The third season of Kota Factory is a moving saga of anxiety and vulnerability in the IIT-prep city of Kota, that makes for a brilliant watch with subtle bouts of relatability. Available on Netflix and Highly Recommended.
