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{{short description|2019 Indian Hindi-language web series}}
{{Primary sources|date=October 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2021}}
{{EngvarB|date=January 2020}}
{{Infobox television
| name = Kota Factory
| image = Kota Factory poster.jpg
| caption = Official release poster
| genre = {{ubl|Drama|Comedy}}
| creator = Saurabh Khanna
| director = Raghav Subbu
| writer =
| starring = {{ubl|Mayur More|Ranjan Raj|[[Alam Khan (actor)|Alam Khan]]|[[Jitendra Kumar]]|Revathi Pillai|Urvi Singh|[[Ahsaas Channa]] }}
| composer = {{ubl|Karthik Rao|Simran Hora}}
| executive_producer = [[Sameer Saxena]]
| cinematography = Jerin Paul
| editor = Gourav Gopal Jha
| runtime = 30 {{endash}} 45 minutes
| company = [[The Viral Fever]]
| network = [[The Viral Fever|TVFPlay]]<br/> [[Netflix]] (Season 2)
| first_aired = {{Start date|df=yes|2019|04|16}}
| website = https://tvfplay.com/category/1/series/588
| num_seasons = 1
| num_episodes = 5
| list_episodes = #Episodes
| country = India
| language = Hindi
}}
'''''Kota Factory''''' is an 2019 Indian [[Hindi-language]] [[web series]] created by Saurabh Khanna and directed by Raghav Subbu for [[The Viral Fever]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNZQ6msbOvM |title=TVF's Kota Factory – Trailer |publisher=[[YouTube]]}}</ref> The story is set is in [[Kota, Rajasthan|Kota]], which is a hub for many coaching centres where students come from all over India to prepare for various entrance exams.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|last=Puri|first=Anjali|date=31 December 2015|title=How Kota became India's capital for educational coaching|work=Business Standard India|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/india-s-garish-free-market-in-education-115123100033_1.html|access-date=23 September 2020}}</ref> The show follows the life of 16-year-old Vaibhav (Mayur More) who moves to [[Kota, Rajasthan|Kota]] from [[Itarsi]]. It shows the life of students in the city, and Vaibhav's efforts to get into [[Indian Institute of Technology|IIT]]. It also stars [[Jitendra Kumar]], [[Ahsaas Channa]], [[Alam Khan (actor)|Alam Khan]] and Ranjan Raj in prominent roles.<ref name="DNA-cast"/> The series feature musical score and a soundtrack album composed by Karthik Rao and Simran Hora, with an additional soundtrack composed and produced by Ankur Tewari and The Ghalat Family band. The cinematography for the series were handled by Jerin Paul and was edited by Gourav Gopal Jha. It was shot in colour and graded into monochrome later on post production, thus becoming the first [[Black and white|black-and-white]] web series in India.<ref name=":12">{{cite web|date=25 April 2019|title=The Viral Fever's Black and White Original, Kota Factory gains impressive response|url=https://indiantelevision.com/mam/marketing/mam/the-viral-fever-s-black-and-white-original-kota-factory-gains-impressive-response-190425|access-date=1 May 2019|website=Indiantelevision.com}}</ref>

Saurabh Khanna, the creator of the show, says that through Kota Factory he aims to change the perspective about Kota and IIT preparation which he feels has always been one sided emphasising on the trauma that education brings in a student's life.<ref name=":22">{{cite web|last=Ghosh|first=Devarsi|date=21 April 2019|title=TVF's 'Kota Factory' rallies against 'one-sided representation' of Kota's coaching class culture|url=https://www.scroll.in/reel/920195/tvfs-kota-factory-rallies-against-one-sided-representation-of-kotas-coaching-class-culture|access-date=1 May 2019|website=Scroll.in}}</ref><ref name=":32">{{cite web|last=Farzeen|first=Sana|date=19 April 2019|title=Ahsas Channa on Kota Factory: It's the first black and white web series in India|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/web-series/ahsas-channa-tvf-kota-factory-black-and-white-5684653/|access-date=7 May 2019|website=The Indian Express}}</ref> The series which contains of five episodes were premiered simultaneously on [[The Viral Fever|TVFPlay]] and [[YouTube]] on 16 April 2019, and the season finale premiered on 14 May 2019. The series received overwhelming response from critics, praising the monochrome setting, the realistic portrayal of coaching centres in India, and the major technical aspects of the series.<ref name=":1">{{cite web|url=https://indiantelevision.com/mam/marketing/mam/the-viral-fever-s-black-and-white-original-kota-factory-gains-impressive-response-190425|title=The Viral Fever's Black and White Original, Kota Factory gains impressive response|website=Indiantelevision.com|date=25 April 2019|access-date=1 May 2019}}</ref> Following its positive response, the makers renewed for a second season, which will stream on [[Netflix]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=24 February 2021|title=Pitchers 2 VS Kota Factory 2 VS Panchayat 2? Vote For Your Most Awaited TVF Show This Year!|url=https://www.koimoi.com/television/pitchers-2-vs-kota-factory-2-vs-panchayat-2-vote-for-your-most-awaited-tvf-show-this-year/|access-date=24 February 2021|website=Koimoi|language=en-US}}</ref>On 30 August 2021, [[Netflix]] announced that the second season of the series will premiere on 24 September 2021.

==Cast==
===Main cast===
* Mayur More as Vaibhav Pandey
* Ranjan Raj as Balmukund Meena<ref name="DNA-cast">{{cite news |title='Aranyak', 'Bombay Begums', 'Decoupled', 'Finding Anamika', 'Mai', 'Ray': Series to stream on Netflix in 2021 |url=https://www.dnaindia.com/television/photo-gallery-netflix-india-slate-2021-series-aranyak-bombay-begums-decoupled-delhi-crime-feels-like-ishq-finding |access-date=14 April 2021 |work=DNA India |date=3 March 2021 |language=en}}</ref>
* [[Alam Khan (actor)|Alam Khan]] as Uday Gupta
* [[Jitendra Kumar]] as Jeetu Bhaiya<ref>{{cite news |last1=Singh |first1=Suhani |title=Here's how Jitendra Kumar aka Jeetu Bhaiya prepared for his role in TVF's Kota Factory |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/television/web-series/story/here-s-how-jitendra-kumar-aka-jeetu-bhaiya-prepared-for-his-role-in-tvf-s-kota-factory-1521902-2019-05-10 |access-date=25 February 2021 |work=India Today |date=10 May 2019 |language=en}}</ref>
* [[Ahsaas Channa]] as Shivangi Ranawat
* Revathi Pillai as Vartika Ratawal
* Urvi Singh as Meenal Parekh

===Recurring cast===
{{cast listing|
* Rohit Sukhwani as Rohit
* Arun Kumar as Deepak
* Harish Peddinti as Bablu
* Sanyam Bafna as Aayush
* Loveleen Mishra as PG Aunty
* Jasmeet Singh Bhatia as Parminder Sir
* [[Shivankit Singh Parihar]] as Awasthi Sir
* Gaurav Mishra as Batla Sir
* Visshesh Tiwari as Piyush
* [[Jyoti Gauba]] as Vaibhv's mother
* Amitabh Krishna Ghanekar as Vaibhav's father
* Saurabh Khanna as Vice Principal Mehta Ji
* Deepak Kumar Mishra as Autowala
* [[Sameer Saxena]] as Maheshwari Sir
* Vaibhav Thakkar as Shushrut
}}

==Episodes==
{{cleanup|section|reason=Some of the plot summaries exceed the 200-word max preferred by [[WP:TVPLOT]].|date=September 2020}}
{{#invoke:Episode table|main |background = #005F6C
|overall = 5
|title = 20
|director = 20
|writer = 20
|airdate = 16
|viewers=
|episodes=
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=1
|Title=Inventory
|DirectedBy=Raghav Subbu
|WrittenBy = Abhishek Yadav
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|df=yes|2019|04|16}}
|Viewers = 29<ref>{{Cite web|title=Kota Factory - EP 01 - Inventory - YouTube|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JWbnEt3xuos&app=desktop|access-date=2 August 2020|website=www.youtube.com}}</ref>
|ShortSummary =Vaibhav comes to Kota in the middle of academic year and joins Prodigy coaching Classes. He is allotted the last batch of the centre, A10. He meets Meena, also in Prodigy, who tells him that he should not accept A10. He speaks to Deepak, the Head Manager of Prodigy but is denied any change. Then, he meets Jeetu Bhaiya, the Physics lecturer. He gives Vaibhav a 50 question paper, and tells him to complete it by the next day. With the help of Meena and Uday (another student of Prodigy), he solves 42 questions, copying the whole sums from different books, but not able to do the rest 8. The next day, Jeetu Bhaiya points out his cheating and Vaibhav accepts that he cheated. Jeetu Bhaiya allots Vaibhav A5 batch, because of his hard work. He motivates Vaibhav, telling him that they will try till the end, and will crack IIT-JEE.
|LineColor = 005F6C
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=2
|Title=Assembly Line
|DirectedBy=Raghav Subbu
|WrittenBy = Saurabh Khanna & Abhishek Yadav
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|df=yes|2019|04|23}}
|Viewers = 19<ref>{{Cite web|title=Kota Factory - EP 02 - Assembly Line - YouTube|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zW-fcAGzEew&app=desktop|access-date=2 August 2020|website=www.youtube.com}}</ref>
|ShortSummary =Vaibhav struggles to cope up with his new life at Kota. He struggles to sleep, eat food at mess, drink water (which he finds salty) and study for long hours. Uday and Meena try to help their new friend but all in vain. One day, Jeetu Bhaiya acknowledges about his problems and helps him with the solutions. Eventually, within 21 days, Vaibhav has all the struggles sorted with all the help he has.
|LineColor = 005F6C
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=3
|Title=Optimization
|DirectedBy=Raghav Subbu
|WrittenBy = Abhishek Yadav & Sandeep Jain
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|df=yes|2019|04|30}}
|Viewers = 21<ref>{{Cite web|title=Kota Factory - EP 03 - Optimization - YouTube|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gIwgSpEg6ZY&app=desktop|access-date=2 August 2020|website=www.youtube.com}}</ref>
|ShortSummary = This episode mainly deals with the complicated subject of Inorganic Chemistry. Vaibhav is not able to cope up with this subject and blames the teachers who are teaching the subject, for his ability not to understand the subject. He changes 3 teachers for the subject. After not being able to understand the subject with the 3rd teacher as well, he bursts out all his anger and frustration in front of Meena. Meena takes him to Jeetu Bhaiya, who explains to him that he can drop the subject, and also tells him, "Inorganic Chemistry is an Exception".
To which they are inspired and happy.
|LineColor = 005F6C
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=4
|Title=Shutdown
|DirectedBy=Raghav Subbu
|WrittenBy = Saurabh Khanna, Abhishek Yadav
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|df=yes|2019|05|07}}
|Viewers = 19<ref>{{Cite web|title=Kota Factory - EP 04 - Shutdown - YouTube|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SaCgKXQiXGE&app=desktop|access-date=2 August 2020|website=www.youtube.com}}</ref>
|ShortSummary = Prodigy gives them a little break from the studies, and tells them to visit a school for their practicals. Uday tells Vaibhav that he wishes to roam around Kota with Shivangi, his girlfriend. He also tells Vaibhav that he should also come with them and a girl named Vartika. While Uday discusses this with Vaibhav, Meena is busy talking with Meenal, a studious but nerdy girl from their class. Meena first plans to study with Vaibhav, but then backs out by the saying of Meenal. As Vaibhav disagrees to go, Meena goes instead of him. As Vartika too insists to study, She takes help from Vaibhav, and studies while Uday, Shivangi, Meena and Meenal roam around Kota. Vaibhav and Vartika start developing feelings for each other, but don't speak it out. Wanting to be with Vartika, Vaibhav gives an exam along with her to go to Maheshwari, although he does not want to go there.
After the exams, Vaibhav and Vartika start studying for 12th as well. Meena finds it useless to roam around Kota, as he starts developing feelings for Meenal, but she says that she will be moving to the US. He thought that it would have been better to study instead of roaming around.
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=5
|Title= Overhaul (Season Finale)
|DirectedBy=Raghav Subbu
|WrittenBy = Abhishek Yadav
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|df=yes|2019|05|14}}
|Viewers = 18<ref>{{Cite web|title=Kota Factory - EP 05 - Overhaul {{!}} Season Finale - YouTube|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=923ks1pc0LQ&app=desktop|access-date=2 August 2020|website=www.youtube.com}}</ref>
|ShortSummary = Vaibhav is a bit shocked to come to know that he has been selected for Maheshwari classes. Deepak and Batla Sir talk to the bunch of students who are selected for Maheshwari, including Vaibhav. The bunch are allotted in A1, a measure taken to stop the students from going to Maheshwari. Vaibhav is completely settled in Prodigy now and does not intend to leave. He hears a student telling his 2 friends not to stay in Prodigy, as he thinks that anyone can make it to A1 in Prodigy, but Maheshwari provides real competition. Jeetu Bhaiya also talks to them about this, and all students say that they are not going to Maheshwari. Vaibhav tells Jeetu Bhaiya about the student who was talking about going to Maheshwari, to which Jeetu Bhaiya says that it is nothing new about that, every year many students do that. He also insists Vaibhav go to Maheshwari, as there are more students and focus there. Vaibhav is reluctant to go, as he has got friends here and is now completely settled. But, Jeetu Bhaiya shows him some merchandise from famous and expensive companies that his students have gifted him, and tells him that these are his real gifts, Vaibhav takes Jeetu Bhaiya's blessings and decides to go to Maheshwari. He has a farewell from Shivangi, Meena, and especially Vartika. They promise each other that they will definitely see each other in IIT. Uday drops him off at Maheshwari, where he is allotted A3. He meets a nervous student named Sushrut, who is in A7. He tells him that he thinks 12th is very late to join coaching, he is also scared that there are Board Exams also. Vaibhav tells him not to worry, and he quotes, " Only 21 days. You only have to slog for 21 days. Then you will blend in.", Remembering Jeetu Bhaiya and his friends.
}}
}}

== Production ==

=== Development ===
The screenwriter Saurabh Khanna who worked on [[The Viral Fever]]'s ''[[Yeh Meri Family]]'', started the scriptwritng process of his another project for TVF, after the release of ''Yeh Meri Family'' in July 2018.<ref>{{Cite web|date=28 February 2020|title=Download The Script Of TVF's Kota Factory|url=https://www.filmcompanion.in/fc-pro/download-the-script-of-tvfs-kota-factory/|access-date=23 February 2021|website=Film Companion|language=en-US}}</ref> It was reported that the series is based on a teenager who joins a coaching institute that prepares students for the [[Indian Institutes of Technology|Indian Institute of Technology]] entrance examination, and deals with intense academic pressure and a colourful hostel experience. While Khanna compared the script of the series to Biswa Kalyan Rath's ''[[Laakhon Mein Ek]]'', a similar web show released in late 2017, and a documentary ''An Engineered Dream'', by Hemant Gaba, Khanna stated that the script is distinctively different from both the works as this show is set in India's coaching hub of [[Kota, Rajasthan|Kota]] in [[Rajasthan]].<ref name=":2">{{cite web|last=Ghosh|first=Devarsi|date=21 April 2019|title=TVF's 'Kota Factory' rallies against 'one-sided representation' of Kota's coaching class culture|url=https://www.scroll.in/reel/920195/tvfs-kota-factory-rallies-against-one-sided-representation-of-kotas-coaching-class-culture|access-date=1 May 2019|website=Scroll.in}}</ref>
{{Blockquote|text="The popular narrative surrounding Kota and IIT preparation in Indian pop culture is that parents torment their children by pushing them through the process and it’s a one-sided representation. It’s not like everyone is in Kota with a passion other than clearing the exam. There are also studious kids, but people who study aren’t celebrated in the country. We make films on mavericks, but never something like A Beautiful Mind. We have developed this tendency to portray people who study and get nine-to-five jobs as these drones whose passions have been sucked away. It’s like there’s not a story in their life unless they quit their jobs and climb the Himalayas."|source=Saurabh Khanna in an interview with the ''[[Scroll.in]]'' about the scripting of ''Kota Factory''.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Ghosh |first1=Devarsi |title=TVF's 'Kota Factory' rallies against 'one-sided representation' of Kota's coaching class culture |url=https://scroll.in/reel/920195/tvfs-kota-factory-rallies-against-one-sided-representation-of-kotas-coaching-class-culture |access-date=23 February 2021 |work=Scroll.in |date=21 April 2019}}</ref>}}

=== Casting ===
Khanna drew the inspiration of the series as he and the creative team of TVF ([[Arunabh Kumar]], [[Amit Golan|Amit Golani]], and [[Biswapati Sarkar]]) were IIT graduates. The series star [[Jitendra Kumar]] in a principal character as Jeetu Bhaiya, as like all the TVF series and sketches featuring Kumar. He was also an ex-IIT graduate studied in Kota, and his experience made them easier for him to work in the series.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Ghosh|first=Devarsi|title='Loved seeing myself on the big screen': How TVF's 'Jeetu' went from IIT to web series to films|url=https://scroll.in/reel/922067/loved-seeing-myself-on-the-big-screen-how-tvfs-jeetu-went-from-iit-to-web-series-to-films|access-date=23 February 2021|website=Scroll.in|language=en-US}}</ref> Khanna stated about his role, adding that, "Teaching is a very humble, underrated profession, where those who practise it are not that high up on the social ladder. That's not how it is in Kota. Teachers are heavily paid and they are, consequently, under pressure to extract the best from students. Jeetu is one such teacher, a well-to-do guy with a taste for fine things in life. He is a motivator, a friend, a guide, and does not do lip service to make a student feel good. When Vaibhav requests to be allowed to move up to the elite students’ batch, Jeetu snaps at him to not beg."<ref>{{Cite web|date=10 May 2019|first=Suhani|last=Singh|title=Here's how Jitendra Kumar aka Jeetu Bhaiya prepared for his role in TVF's Kota Factory|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/television/web-series/story/here-s-how-jitendra-kumar-aka-jeetu-bhaiya-prepared-for-his-role-in-tvf-s-kota-factory-1521902-2019-05-10|access-date=23 February 2021|website=India Today|language=en}}</ref> One of the characters Uday, is played [[Alam Khan (actor)|Alam Khan]] who also appeared in ''Laakhon Mein Ek'', having the similar storyline and role as of ''Kota Factory'', but Khanna conveyed it as unintentional.<ref name=":0" />

=== Filming ===
''Kota Factory'' was shot in colour and graded into [[monochrome]] later during post production ([[Black and white|black-and-white]]). The shooting was kickstarted in January 2019 and ended within 30 days.<ref name=":3">{{cite web|last=Farzeen|first=Sana|date=19 April 2019|title=Ahsas Channa on Kota Factory: It's the first black and white web series in India|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/web-series/ahsas-channa-tvf-kota-factory-black-and-white-5684653/|access-date=7 May 2019|website=The Indian Express}}</ref> After the announcement of the series' second season being renewed, the makers started their works of writing in July 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|date=1 December 2020|first=Rahul|last=Noronha|title=Why Bollywood, OTT projects are making a beeline for Madhya Pradesh|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india-today-insight/story/why-bollywood-ott-projects-are-making-a-beeline-for-madhya-pradesh-1745814-2020-12-01|access-date=23 February 2021|website=India Today|language=en}}</ref> The team initially planned to shoot the series in March 2020, but the shooting was delayed indefinitely due to the [[COVID-19 lockdown in India|COVID-19 pandemic lockdown in India]]. The makers later started the shooting process in September 2020, and was filmed across two to three months in and around [[Madhya Pradesh]]. The crew shot the series under the supervision of a special team designated as in order to observe the crew members abiding the COVID-19 protocol. In January 2021, the makers announced that the shooting of the series had been wrapped.<ref>{{cite news |last1=D'Silva |first1=Leander |title='Kota Factory' season 2 filming locations: Know about the upcoming Jitendra Kumar starrer |url=https://www.republicworld.com/entertainment-news/web-series/kota-factory-season-2-filming-locations-know-about-the-upcoming-jitendra-kumar-starrer.html |access-date=1 April 2021 |work=Republic World |date=4 March 2021 |language=en}}</ref>

===Soundtrack===
''Kota Factory''<nowiki/>'s musical score is composed by Karthik Rao and Simran Hora, and was produced by Ankur Tewari. It features twelve original composition with two songs "The Gentleman" sung and written by Simran Hora and "Main Bola Hey!" is sung by Abhsihek Yadav, Manish Chandwani and Karthik Rao. The soundtrack album was released on 23 May 2019, through media streaming platforms and in [[YouTube]] through the official channel of TVF, where the songs are independently released without launching a separate jukebox format.<ref>{{cite web|title=Kota Factory: Season 1 (Music from Tvf Original Series)|url=https://www.jiosaavn.com/album/kota-factory:-season-1-music-from-tvf-original-series/RJZi,o-ALKs_|publisher=[[Saavn]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Kota Factory: Season 1 (Music from Tvf Original Series)|url=https://music.apple.com/in/album/kota-factory-season-1-music-from-tvf-original-series/1465327093|publisher=[[iTunes]]}}</ref> In addition to the original soundtrack, ''Kota Factory'' also features two songs composed by Ankur Tewari, [[Karsh Kale]] and his rock band ''The Ghalat Family'', whereas the songs were written by Ankur Tewari.<ref>{{cite web|title='Kota Factory' gets Ankur Tewari's musical touch|url=http://www.radioandmusic.com/entertainment/editorial/news/190413-kota-factory-gets-ankur-tewaris-musical|publisher=Radio and Music}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=TVF Originals' Kota Factory to feature Ankur Tewari's hit singles|url=http://www.tellychakkar.com/tv/tv-news/tvf-originals-kota-factory-feature-ankur-tewari-s-hit-singles-190415|publisher=Telly Chakkar}}</ref> The songs were released as a part of the additional soundtrack released on 3 June 2019.<ref>{{Citation|title=Yaaron {{!}} Music video {{!}} feat. Ankur & The Ghalat Family {{!}} Kota Factory|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7zODUbZA0Cw|language=en|access-date=23 February 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Citation|title=Mohabbat Zindabad - TVF Kota Factory Song Lyrics Video {{!}} Ankur Tewari|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PAa977bXrko|language=en|access-date=23 February 2021}}</ref>{{Infobox album
| name = Kota Factory
| type = soundtrack
| artist = Karthik Rao, Simran Hora
| cover = Kota_Factory_Album.jpeg
| alt =
| released = {{Start date|df=yes|2019|05|23}}
| recorded = 2018–2019
| genre = [[Soundtrack]]
| length = 25:01
| label = [[The Viral Fever]]
| producer = Ankur Tewari
| prev_title =
| prev_year =
| next_title =
| next_year =
| language = Hindi
}}

{{Track listing
| headline = ''Kota Factory'' (Music from the Original Series)
| extra_column = Singer(s)
| total_length = {{Duration|m=25|s=01}}
| title1 = The Gentleman
| extra1 = Simran Hora
| music1 = Simran Hora
| length1 = 02:50
| title2 = Main Bola Hey!
| extra2 = Abhishek Yadav, Manish Chandwani, Karthik Rao
| music2 = Karthik Rao
| length2 = 02:33
| title3 = Nostalgia
| music3 = Karthik Rao
| length3 = 03:18
| title4 = Jeetu Bhaiya
| music4 = Karthik Rao
| length4 = 01:07
| title5 = Against the Flow
| music5 = Simran Hora
| length5 = 01:28
| title6 = Hero's Journey
| music6 = Karthik Rao
| length6 = 03:05
| title7 = 21 Days
| music7 = Simran Hora
| length7 = 01:36
| title8 = With the Flow
| music8 = Simran Hora
| length8 = 00:58
| title9 = Practical Love
| music9 = Karthik Rao
| length9 = 01:52
| title10 = Hi Gili Gili
| music10 = Karthik Rao
| length10 = 00:50
| title11 = Truth
| music11 = Simran Hora
| length11 = 02:15
| title12 = The Dark Side of the Gentleman
| music12 = Simran Hora
| length12 = 03:09
| extra3 = [[Instrumental]]
| extra4 = Instrumental
| extra5 = Instrumental
| extra6 = Instrumental
| extra7 = Instrumental
| extra8 = Instrumental
| extra9 = Instrumental
| extra10 = Simran Hora
| extra11 = Instrumental
| extra12 = Instrumental
}}

{{Track listing
| headline = ''Kota Factory'' (Additional Soundtrack)
| extra_column = Singer(s)
| total_length = {{Duration|m=32|s=42}}
| title1 = Yaaron
| extra1 = Ankur Tewari
| lyrics1 =
| music1 = Ankur Tewari
| length1 = 04:12
| title2 = Mohabbat Zindabad
| extra2 = Ankur Tewari
| lyrics2 =
| music2 = [[Karsh Kale]], The Ghalat Family
| length2 = 03:29
}}

== Themes ==
''Kota Factory'' drew inspiration from the life of engineering students, who join the coaching institute in Kota, to crack the IIT entrance exam. This plot has been found similar to the 2009 film ''[[3 Idiots]]'', the web series ''[[Laakhon Mein Ek]]'' and the docu-drama ''An Engineer's Dream''.<ref name=":1" /> But, Tanul Thakur of the British magazine ''[[The Wire (magazine)|The Wire]]'', deploys the realistic portrayals of the series as compared to the feature films based on the same theme. Thakur stated that the first half of the series is interesting due to the "intellectual curiosity about the city, and its people". He added that apart from the realistic portrayals, it also added the acceptance to abnormalities in the coaching life, as instead of critiquing the coaching institute.<ref name=":4" />

== Release ==
''Kota Factory'' sponsored with [[Unacademy]] in order to promote the series, based on its storyline.<ref name=":2" /> In December 2018, TVF released the official teaser through its [[YouTube]] channel which received wide response from audiences.<ref>{{Citation|title=TVF's Kota Factory {{!}} Teaser|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7HBWx4OJxs|language=en|access-date=23 February 2021}}</ref> Later, the official trailer of the first season was unveiled on 28 March 2019.<ref>{{Citation|title=TVF's Kota Factory {{!}} Trailer|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNZQ6msbOvM|language=en|access-date=23 February 2021}}</ref> The series consisting of five episodes was released simultaneously through TVF Play and YouTube from 16 April 2019, with each episode being aired per week. The series finale premiered on 14 May 2019.

After the second season being renewed [[Netflix]] acquired the distribution rights of the series;<ref>{{Cite news|title=Netflix India announces 41 new titles for 2021|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/entertainment/netflix-india-announces-41-new-titles-for-2021/cid/1808411|access-date=20 March 2021|work=The Telegraph|date=4 March 2021}}</ref> an official announcement regarding ''Season 2'' was made on 3 March 2021, where Netflix released several other original contents in their 2021 slate.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Jain|first=Arushi|date=4 March 2021|title=Netflix announces 41 titles: Fabulous Lives 2, Delhi Crime 2, Madhuri Dixit's Finding Anamika in pipeline|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/web-series/netflix-new-slate-2021-kapil-sharma-dhamaka-delhi-crime-2-7212144/|access-date=20 March 2021|work=The Indian Express|language=en}}</ref> This marked TVF's second collaboration with the platform after ''[[Yeh Meri Family]]''.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Arora|first=Akhil|date=3 March 2021|title=Netflix India Announces 41 Titles for 2021: 13 Movies, 15 Series, and More|url=https://gadgets.ndtv.com/entertainment/news/netflix-india-madhuri-dixit-anushka-sharma-sonakshi-sinha-dhanush-raveena-tandon-2382273|access-date=20 March 2021|work=NDTV Gadgets 360|language=en}}</ref>On 30 August 2021, [[Netflix]] announced that the second season of the series will premiere on 24 September 2021.

==Reception==
Devasheesh Pandey of ''[[News18]]'' praised the cinematography, art direction, sound design as well as the acting performances of the show and gave it a rating of 3.5 out of 5 saying that, "''Kota Factory'' maintains an edge over other shows in the genre, courtesy of its on-point, deadpan humour and a relatably bittersweet aftertaste of existential battle that the protagonist is facing."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.news18.com/news/movies/kota-factory-season-1-review-this-educational-satire-is-tvfs-best-since-pitchers-2141477.html |title=Kota Factory Season 1 Review: This Educational Satire is TVF's Best Since Pitchers |publisher=[[News18]]|date=15 May 2019 }}</ref> Ishita Sengupta of ''[[The Indian Express]]'' found the show to be engaging and applauded it saying that, "The ingenuity of ''Kota Factory'' lies in its ability to deal with different narrative strands and coalesce them effortlessly." Ishita also felt that the performances of the actors, specially Mayur More and Ranjan Raj, add a lot of value to the show.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Sengupta |first1=Ishita |title=Kota Factory review: An engaging web series |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/web-series/tvf-kota-factory-review-573337 |access-date=8 March 2021 |work=The Indian Express |date=18 May 2019 |language=en}}</ref> Rahul Desai of ''[[Film Companion]]'' was impressed with the mature depiction of the subject at hand and praised the acting performances as well as the writing of the show saying that, "''Kota Factory''’s biggest asset is its writing which somehow maintains a semi-dramatic progression without compromising on the factual tone of the series."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Desai |first1=Rahul |title=Kota Factory Review: TVF's Most Evolved Show Since Pitchers |url=https://www.filmcompanion.in/streaming/kota-factory-review-tvfs-most-evolved-show-since-pitchers/ |access-date=8 March 2021 |work=Film Companion |date=17 May 2019}}</ref>

Gautam Batra of ''[[Koimoi]]'' praised the direction and the acting performances of the show and gave it a rating of 4 out of 5 saying that, "the web series has taken a very less dramatic route to narrate the story which makes it extremely relatable watch."<ref>{{cite web|last=Batra|first=Gautam|url=https://www.koimoi.com/reviews/web-reviews/kota-factory-review-the-new-tvf-web-series-is-as-magical-as-it-gets/ |title=Kota Factory Review: The New TVF Web Series Is As Magical As It Gets! |publisher=[[Koimoi]]|date=15 May 2019 |access-date=8 March 2021}}</ref> Priyanka Bansal of ''[[The Quint]]'' praised the show for presenting a fresh perspective on the education system in India. Impressed with the acting performances, production quality and music of Kota Factory, Priyanka gave the show a rating of 3.5 out of 5 and said that, "If you are looking for something worthwhile, The Kota Factory can be a nice watch that will make you think not about death and gloom but leave you with optimism."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Bansal |first1=Priyanka |title=Away From Gloom, 'The Kota Factory' Is A Breath of Fresh Air |url=https://www.thequint.com/entertainment/hot-on-web/the-viral-fever-the-kota-factory-coaching-centres-review |access-date=13 February 2021 |work=TheQuint |date=21 May 2019 |language=en}}</ref> Tanul Thakur of ''[[The Wire (India)|The Wire]]'' praised the show for being realistic and relatable but felt that the show shies away from criticising the culture of coaching institutes prevalent in the Indian society.<ref name=":4">{{cite news |last1=Thakur |first1=Tanul |title='Kota Factory' Fails to Critique the Culture of IIT Coaching Institutes |url=https://thewire.in/the-arts/kota-factory-tvf-review-iit-jee |access-date=13 February 2021 |work=The Wire |date=28 May 2019}}</ref> Dilip D'Souza writing for ''[[The Caravan]]'' praised the storytelling, as well.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://caravanmagazine.in/perspectives/web-series-gets-heart-kotas-coaching-industry|title=A web series gets at the heart of Kota's coaching industry.|last=D'Souza|first=Dilip|date=1 June 2019|website=[[The Caravan]]|language=en|url-status=live|access-date=7 December 2019}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{IMDb title|id=9432978}}

{{Netflix original continuation series}}

[[Category:TVF Play Shows]]
[[Category:Hindi-language web series]]
[[Category:Indian drama web series]]
[[Category:2019 web series debuts]]
[[Category:Indian Institutes of Technology in fiction]]

Kota Factory - Revision history

imported>DEFCON5 at 07:50, 31 August 2021