You’ve always wondered what a promising breakthrough director could do with a bigger budget. But aside from complicated contracts and perhaps more stringent arrangements.
The move to Netflix doesn’t seem to do much for the folks behind Kota Factory. After a rather interesting first season that wasn’t quite as good as on YouTube. The show, now sealed as “Tudum” on Netflix. It is back with a new five-episode set that’s inferior to the first.
In the first season, the Indian slapdash spirit prevailed.
He does his best to tell a compelling story about an IIT candidate in the city of Kota, Rajasthan. A sort of incubator that attracts teens from all over the country for his “Mahaul”. And also offers a multibillion-dollar mentoring agency.
You may also read Potluck Review: The series is rather entertaining very little to drown your teeth
Presented from the perspective of a young man named Vaibhav. Kota Factory is a surprisingly sincere (and somewhat irresponsible) look at an isolated community of students.
Who sacrifice their childhood and dedicated the prime of their lives to “crush” one of the most difficult. Races, exams in India. Getting a place in the best facilities will get them one per cent in a country. Where respect is directly proportional to their qualifications.
Ironically, Kota Factory oddly doesn’t demand show for people who want to be future world leaders. I was astonished by the writer’s decision to dedicate two episodes to the second season of Body Fluids.
While Vaibhav suffers from jaundice in the medium term, his girlfriend Meina finds pleasure in herself. And while the laughter act plays out – without knowing any prize. Another Kota Factory allows Schmalz to embrace like never before.
But for some reason – perhaps because the title includes the word “factory”:
I wish the show was more critical, or at least a little more confident, of the overall absurdity of this scenario. This is a strange world for me and probably for most of the population of this country.
I find it easier to get used to the fantasy world of Pandora. Than the cult environment, Kota Factory gives me a glimpse of. Every time someone mentions “inorganic” or “DPP”, my heart sinks.
The show has undeniable authenticity, but it doesn’t examine the natural consequences of a (problematic) romanticizing culture.
Kota Factory doesn’t need an excuse to play the same soundtrack about friendship every time. Vaibhav and the band get together for some cheats. It’s understandable to use the “best days of our lives”. Approach to college history. But the sinister thrust of what’s happening in cities like The City is ignored.
And when the series finally decides to acknowledge the tragic reality of “Tayars” at that level. It’s a little too late and seems a little hectic simply because there has been conscious ignorance all along.
You may also read ‘Shimmy’ Review: It is a sweet, warm piece on connections that is essentially yet delicately told and is most certainly worth a watch
It doesn’t help that Weibhav isn’t the most popular character. Just look at how he uses his mother and bully his new girlfriend, Sushrut – but I suspect the series doesn’t notice.
He made homeless comments revealing his inner sexism (and colouring). And the show didn’t stop challenging these accusations, showing that he believed in them too. While a few female characters were in the mix in season two, the show lacks a female perspective.
Then there’s Jeetu Bhaiya (Jitendra Kumar), who uses the series as a free “Get Out of Jail” card:
When it’s recorded in a corner with a story. Jeetu Bhaiya embodies the vexing conflict with which Kota Factory seems to be in a perpetual wrestling match. There is no such problem that Jeetu Bhaiya cannot solve by playing sermons. That often contradict what he has said before.
He is like a pastor telling his congregation that he no longer needs to go to the liturgy. Which immediately cools him down. But then waves his finger, instructing them to pray at home a million times a day instead.
Jeetu Bhaiya is always provided with funds to enable the lectures. With which he trains his students and is no different from the leaders of any doomsday sect. But what he doesn’t tell the kids is that there is life beyond IITs and exams.
You may also read “Virus 2062” Review: Ali Fazal and Richa Chadha Podcast Based on Pandemic and are ambitious but messy
Of course, you don’t have to. But how will Kota Factory then appeal to the vast majority of viewers. Who never dreamed of joining IIT or didn’t care about those who wanted to join? After a while – and that was before the end of the season well done.