A coming-of-age web series that portrays the life of IIT aspirants in Kota. Is that all what it conveys? Definitely not! Perhaps the first web series screened entirely in “black and white”, it depicts the striking capitalist approach of coaching centres in Kota and the trauma faced by students in coping with the harsh world. The series starts with Vaibhav , a small town boy coming to Kota with big dreams of cracking the JEE exam. He tries to seek admission in one of the most prestigious institution in Kota but is denied admission.
Hence he joins another institution where he meets the renowned “Jeetu Bhaiya” who is the soul of the series. The star teacher is called “Agony aunt” by the students as he helps his students in every situation. The story moves ahead to showing how Vaibhav opposes the batch system in his own ways along with handling pressure. His only solace is his two pals, Meena and Uday who stand by him in all his tough times. It provides a glimpse of the beauty in the friendships that is forged in such hostile conditions.
A CLOSER LOOK
The show also brings to light the immense pressure that students are put under. The scene where Vaibhav who is suffering from insomnia, dozes off after reading few pages of a storybook reflects how students are just weary and frustrated of reading their subjects. The title is appropriate as Kota has indeed become the factory that produces an enormous amount of students into IIT. Unfortunately, students who don’t clear it lose their confidence and end up as “losers” to the world.
The opening sentence by a rickshaw driver “If it doesn’t happen here, it is not bound to happen anywhere”, puts emphasis on the mindset of people and the pressure students succumb to. The show ends with Vaibhav having an emotional run through of all the relationships he has made during his course of studying for one of the toughest exams. Lastly, the friends optimistically promise to meet each other at IIT.
A very relatable and heart touching story with top-notch acting – what else is required? On the whole, it will make for a great binge watch and will surely strike a chord with you no matter what field of study you are in!
