Kota Factory Season 3 opens with a grim scene reflecting the academic pressures students face in Kota, a city now synonymous with competitive exam coaching. Despite the success of TVF’s previous series like “Panchayat” and “Gullak,” “Kota Factory” struggles to find its footing in its third season. This season, instead of addressing the severe issue of student suicides in Kota, it appears more like a promotional piece for coaching institutes.
The Competition Continues for Five Years
“Kota Factory” premiered in 2019 and since then, actors Mayur More, Ranjan Raj, Alam Khan, Ahsaas Channa, and Revathi Pillai have visibly aged, yet they continue to portray teenagers. This awkward casting decision highlights the stagnation in the series’ storyline. Despite the feel-good vibes prevalent in TVF’s recent productions, “Kota Factory” Season 3 fails to provide any meaningful commentary on the middle-class struggles it portrays. Instead, it subtly markets the coaching industry, ignoring the grim reality of student suicides in Kota.
From Series to Podcast Branding
Netflix’s primary goal is viewership. The more a series is watched, the easier it is to greenlight subsequent seasons. Shows like “The Great Indian Kapil Show” and “Heeramandi” have received approvals for new seasons. Similarly, more seasons of “Kota Factory” might follow, regardless of their narrative quality. The success of podcasts, often branded alongside such series, adds another revenue stream, which “Kota Factory” Season 3 seems to capitalize on.
From Secretary Ji to Jeetu Bhaiya
The season starts with Jeetu Bhaiya grappling with guilt over a student’s suicide. The narrative touches upon the need for educational reform, but as easily as mold is painted over, deep-seated issues in the education system are glossed over. The National Testing Agency’s own examination mishaps highlight the systemic failures, yet the series offers no substantial solutions. Instead, it romanticizes escaping this mess by tutoring, depicted through Meena’s journey to become another ‘Bhaiya.’
Marginalized Superstars Shine
The real stars of “Kota Factory” are Mayur More, Ranjan Raj, and Alam Khan. The series poignantly captures Vaibhav’s frustration as his relative secures an IPL selection, and Meena’s empathy towards his drought-stricken father. With the introduction of a new chemistry teacher, Pooja, replacing physics teacher Jeetu Bhaiya, the series attempts to keep things fresh. However, TVF’s reluctance to evolve from its original formula and reliance on recycled narratives is evident.
