Kota Factory 3 review: Jitendra Kumar recently said in an interview with ABP Ent Live that if not an actor, he would have been a teacher and we couldn’t agree more. His portrayal of Jeetu Bhaiya in 'Kota Factory' can make you mistake him for a seasoned educator rather than a phenomenal actor. The much-awaited third season of 'Kota Factory' drops on Netflix today. Following the blueprint of its predecessors, the show delves into the intense world of JEE aspirants, holding a mirror to the Indian education system and imparting valuable life lessons along the way. Just like the first two seasons, the monochrome aesthetic remains, and the stellar cast includes returning favorites Mayur More, Ahsaas Channa, Alam Khan, Ranjan Raj, Rajesh Kumar along with new cast member Tillotama Shome.
Storyline of Kota Factory Season 3
Season 3 broadens its scope, delving not just into the student experience but the often-overlooked pressures faced by the teachers. Picking up after the tragic loss of a student in Season 2, we find Jeetu Bhaiya (Jitendra Kumar) grappling with the aftermath. His initial disappearance hints at a deeper struggle with depression. As he resumes teaching and attempts therapy, the season poignantly portrays the tightrope he walks. Jeetu Bhaiya embodies the ideal mentor, a confidante for his students. However, this dedication and emotional investment come at a cost to his own mental well-being. Heeding his therapist's advice, Jeetu Bhaiya attempts to create a professional distance, transforming from "Bhaiya" to "Sir." This shift proves emotionally challenging for him.
The returning student cast – Vaibhav (Mayur More), Meena (Ranjan Raj), and Uday (Alam Khan) – face familiar pressures of academic rigour, self-doubt, and parental expectations. Meena grapples with financial anxieties, and Uday confronts the consequences of his impulsive actions.
How is Kota Factory Season 3?
What works in the series
After 'Panchayat Season 3', 'Gullak 3', TVF has once again proved with 'Kota Factory' that they are the master of storytelling. Stories that resonate with us all, stories that make us nostalgic, and stories that feel like home.
Creators Saurabh Khanna and Arunabh Kumar, along with writer Tamojit Das and director Raghav Subbu, deliver a season that evokes powerful emotions for everyone who has navigated the grueling gauntlet of Kota's coaching system and even for those who haven’t been there but have felt the pressure of academic competition.
The storyline is so tight, performances so brilliant that while watching the show you could feel the anxiety remembering your stressful student days.
Also read: As Kota Factory Releases, Here Are Seven Similar Shows Around Student Life To Watch
'Kota Factory' excels at depicting the harsh realities of coaching hubs and the students' struggles, but it doesn't paint a relentlessly grim picture. The show beautifully portrays the motivations, aspirations, and aims (Meena's distinction between dreams and aims) of these young minds, highlighting that the journey itself is a mark of victory. It doesn't shy away from the sweetness of success but also offers a message of hope and encouragement to those who might not succeed the first time.
It also beautifully captures the unique bond that forms between students in Kota reminding you of those formative years when far from home, friends become family. These friends are often the first to understand the anxieties, and frustrations, to offer a shoulder to cry on, a hand to hold, and support in moments of need. The season also portrays the bittersweet reality of moving on to the next chapter of life leaving these chosen family members behind, along with the shared experiences and home you created with them.
Also read: Kota Factory Refresher: Recap Of the First Two Seasons Before Season 3's Release
Tearjerker finale episode
The season culminates to an end that will make you emotional and will bring tears to your eyes. Jeetu Bhaiya taking a life changing difficult decision for his well-being as well as the greater good and one of the students facing his deepest fear creates a wave of emotional resonance. While the final episode may leave you with tears in your eyes, it also kindles a flicker of hope for the future, making you look forward to new beginnings.
Acting
While Jitendra Kumar's portrayal of Sachiv in 'Panchayat' garnered him well-deserved praise, his performance as Jeetu Bhaiya is worth going down in the books. His body language, teaching style, and rapport with students remind you of a beloved teacher from the past. This season, Kumar elevates his performance further, masterfully portraying Jeetu Bhaiya's internal struggle. He convincingly navigates the complexities of being there for students while simultaneously trying to prioritise his own mental well-being.
Tillotama Shome delivers a nuanced performance as Pooja Didi, while the rest of the ensemble breathes life into their characters beautifully. Special mention to Mayur More for his portrayal of a student experiencing a rollercoaster of emotions. From moments of frustration to an emotional breakdown, More delivers a powerful performance, excelling in every scene.
Whether you survived, thrived, or even succumbed to the academic pressure in the past, Season 3 of Kota Factory will likely resonate with you.
Rating: 3.5/5