This is a show created by Saurabh Khanna, set in Kota, Rajasthan, an educational hub known for its coaching centers. The show depicts the life of a 16-year-old boy Vaibhav Pandey (Mayur More), who also like many other students moves to Kota in order to get into the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) by cracking the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE). This show also stars Jitendra Kumar, Urvi Singh, Revathi Pillai, Ahsaas Channa, Ranjan Raj and Alam Khan in the lead roles.

Season 1:

This season starts with Vaibhav Pandey moving to Kota in the middle of an academic year where he initially struggles to find admission in a good coaching centre before finally getting into Prodigy classes. He befriends Meena (Ranjan Raj) in his new homestay, also in Prodigy. He soon also befriends Uday (Alam Khan). Vaibhav initially faces various struggles adjusting to the new environment, finding it hard to eat, sleep and study for long hours. Meena and Uday try to help him out but their efforts go in vain. Soon after, Vaibhav meets Jeetu Bhaiya (Jitendra Kumar), a student-friendly teacher who advises Vaibhav regarding his studies and how to cope with the new environment and helps Vaibhav to gain more confidence.

Moving on with his life there, one time Vaibhav meets Vartika (Revathi Pillai). During the course of their interaction, Vaibhav and Vartika develop unspoken feelings for each other. In order to stay alongside Vartika, Vaibhav, along with her takes the exam to join Maheshwari classes though he is not in favour of going there. When the results of the exam are out, Vaibhav is shocked on knowing that he has been selected to join Maheshwari classes. Even then, Vaibhav is reluctant to move to Maheshwari because he has settled in Prodigy and likes it there. Once again, Jeetu bhaiya’s advice and consultation with his parents make Vaibhav move to Maheshwari classes. He bids farewell to Shivangi (Ahsaas Channa), Uday, Meena and Vartika.

The season finale ends with a sense of hope and determination where-in Vaibhav prepares for his final exams, ready to take on the challenges that lie ahead. This season depicts themes of Friendship, Mentorship, Perseverance and Impact of Academic Pressure.

Season 2:

As Vaibhav prepares for his first day at Maheshwari, he is accompanied by his new friend Sushrut (Vaibhav Thakkar). As he starts his classes, he realises that the Physics classes are unengaging with the teacher just writing stuff on the board with students expected to just take it down in their books. At Prodigy, Vaibhav’s former friend learns that Jeetu bhaiya has left the institute. Meanwhile, Vaibhav sees that his friend Sushrut is under depression and is questioning the importance of appearing for the JEE Exam. They take help from seniors and also meet Jeetu Bhaiya and Vaibhav’s former friends who address Sushrut’s concerns.

On the other hand, Vaibhav finds the Chemistry classes to be engaging at Maheshwari but wants to learn Physics from Jeetu bhaiya who himself is busy opening his own institute. Jeetu bhaiya receives funding from an old friend with the help of which he is able to open his own institute ‘Aimers’. Meanwhile, Shivangi addresses Meena’s issues with females. Vaibhav is initially stopped from going to Jeetu bhaiya’s classes but finally meets Mr. Maheshwari and requests permission from him to do so to which he grants permission. Vaibhav’s budding romance with Vartika adds an emotional layer to his life in Kota.

As exams approach, pressure mounts on Vaibhav and his friends. Vaibhav’s performance fluctuates causing him to doubt his capabilities. Jeetu bhaiya’s informal mentorship becomes crucial as Vaibhav seeks his advice. Due to the building stress, Vaibhav faces a personal crisis as his health deteriorates and he is diagnosed with Jaundice. Jeetu bhaiya steps in to advise him to call his mother for help.

The season finale focuses on Vaibhav and his friends putting in all their efforts for the preparation of IIT Exams. Jeetu bhaiya’s guidance and mentoring continue to play a pivotal role in their lives. The episode culminates in a sense of hope and determination as they all face the ultimate test of their hard work and perseverance. One of the other main themes this season focuses on is the mental and emotional toll of the competitive environment showcasing the students’ struggles and efforts to stay motivated. The importance of self-care and the role of mentors in navigating challenges is also a prominent concept.

Season 3:

Released just a couple of days ago, this season begins with Jeetu bhaiya struggling to cope with the loss of one of his students. Meanwhile, as Vaibhav and his friends continue their studies, Vaibhav receives a call from his cousin Minku (Satvik Bhatia) who has just given IPL Trials and upon invitation from Vaibhav, comes to spend a day with him in Kota. All of Vaibhav’s friends are excited to meet his cousin Minku. Vaibhav is envious of all the attention his cousin is getting. Jeetu bhaiya finally comes back to teaching and the students are excited to have him back. Once again, he mentors Vaibhav to not have jealousy towards his cousin and rather be happy for him.

Meena faces financial strains so with the help of Uday, decides to tutor an eager student. At first, he thinks he will manage his studies and tutoring but later finds it hard to balance both. On the other hand, Vaibhav’s attitude while teaching Vartika forces Vartika to stop studying with him and instead find another classmate to study with. When Meena goes to Jeetu bhaiya for advice regarding his student Jeetu bhaiya is notified of his tutoring and tells him to stop that immediately as his studies are more important.

As the studies and classes progress, Jeetu bhaiya advises his students to join an online test series which will help them realise their true potential when they compete with lakhs of students. Vaibhav and Meena decide to compete against each other to see who gets a higher rank. Aimers gets a new Chemistry teacher Pooja didi (Tillotama Shome) whose teaching is enjoyed by the students. Jeetu tries to talk to her to stay permanently at Aimers but her view on Kota makes him understand why she is there only temporarily. During all this, even Shivangi feels the strain of NEET (National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test) preparation.

Moving on, Jeetu bhaiya receives an offer from the Education Minister of Rajasthan to join the ministry as a teacher to advise on improving the educational policies for the students. Initially, Jeetu declines the offer as he wants to concentrate on his institute and students who are soon going to appear for JEE. Uday decides to go to a gaming parlour and challenges one of his friends to a game. Uday wins and his friend asks him for a party. At first, Uday says no but later on they party and, in the process, Uday consumes alcohol. He meets with an accident. On getting to know some details regarding the upcoming paper, Vaibhav gets irritated and worried. The pressure of preparing for the exam takes a toll on him.

The climax reveals the prayers of the students who are eager to know if they are eligible to sit for the JEE-Advanced exam or not. After the results, the students continue to prepare for the next exam. On the other hand, Jeetu takes a decision that takes his colleagues and his students by surprise. The day of the exam arrives and the students are counselled by their teachers to keep calm and do well. Soon, the results are out as well. The season closes by showing how a student and teacher decide to work on their goal once again despite failing at a certain point in their lives.

Kota Factory is a serial that tries to depict the preparation of students for IIT-JEE and NEET in a more positive way as compared to the popular narrative surrounding Kota. The series is shot in Black and White to depict the colourless, boring and depressing aspects of students’ lives in Kota.

Seasons 1 and 2 were very interesting and engaging. Season 3 was also good but it did not have too much humour and there was more of an emotional sentiment in it.

All in all, it is a good show and a practical way to depict the reality of how hard it is to study and prepare for the exams while staying away from home, managing studies, taking care of oneself and being able to handle the pressures of the competing with so many students who are there with the same purpose of trying to get into IIT.

Image provided by the author.