Hey, Bollywood ke deewano! It’s your favorite gossip queen, Khabree Kiran, back with some masaledaar twists and turns from the tinsel town. Ready to dive into the world of competitive exams, Bollywood style? Let’s go!
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Every year, thousands of students pack their bags and head to the coaching hub of Kota, dreaming of cracking those dreaded competitive exams. For some, it’s a dream come true, while for others, it’s a reality check. “Kota Factory” ke Vaibhav (played by Mayur More) bhi aise hi ek aspirant hain, jo Itarsi se Kota aate hain to prep for the IIT-JEE exam.
Released in 2019, “Kota Factory” ne sabka dil jeet liya with its realistic portrayal of the exam ka kora sach. The show stars Ahsaas Channa, Alam Khan, Ranjan Raj, Revathi Pillai, and Urvi Singh in key roles, and guess what? Season 3 just dropped on Netflix!
Got hooked on “Kota Factory”? Don’t worry, yeh rahi list of other series and movies that dive into the same challenging world of competitive exams. Tumhare liye maine sab kuch dekha hai, ab tum bhi dekho!
### **Aspirants (2021-2023)**
TVF’s “Aspirants” follows three dosts – Abhilash (Naveen Kasturia), Guri (Shivankit Singh Parihar), and SK (Abhilash Thapliyal) – all prepping for the UPSC exam in Delhi’s Old Rajinder Nagar. Directed by Apoorv Singh Karki, it beautifully explores their past as aspirants and their present adult lives. Their struggles, friendships, and family bonds are portrayed so well, you’ll feel like you’re right there with them! Catch the first season on YouTube and the second on Amazon Prime.
### **Crash Course (2022)**
Vijay Maurya’s “Crash Course” dives into the dog-eat-dog world of Kota’s coaching centers. Following the lives of eight students, this series shows the dark side of these institutes. Annu Kapoor as Ratanraj Jindal is the ruthless coaching center owner who stops at nothing to ensure his students get top ranks in IIT-JEE. Streaming on Amazon Prime, it’s a must-watch if you want to see the gritty reality.
### **Half CA (2023)**
Another gem from TVF, “Half CA” focuses on the journey of CA aspirants. Ahsaas Channa, Gyanendra Tripathi, Anmol Kajani, Prit Kamani, and Rohan Joshi star in this series that delves into the challenges of becoming a Chartered Accountant in India. Follow Archie (Ahsaas) and Niraj (Gyanendra) as they navigate their way through this tough path. Available on Amazon Prime, it’s all about dreams, struggles, and friendship.
### **Laakhon Mein Ek (2017-2019)**
Biswa Kalyan Rath’s “Laakhon Mein Ek” offers a fresh take on competitive exams. The Amazon Prime series revolves around Aakash Gupta (Ritvik Sahore), a 15-year-old forced into a coaching center in Visakhapatnam for IIT prep. He dreams of becoming an internet sensation and struggles with the pressures and expectations. The second season features Shweta Tripathi as Dr. Shreya Pathare, dealing with government apathy and local skepticism.
### **12th Fail (2023)**
Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s “12th Fail,” based on Anurag Pathak’s book, is a heartwarming tale of IPS Manoj Kumar Sharma, played by Vikrant Massey. Despite failing his 12th standard, Manoj goes on to crack the UPSC exam. Inspired by DSP Dushyant Singh, Manoj overcomes numerous hurdles to achieve his goal and marry his love, Shraddha (Medha Shankr). Now streaming on Disney+, it’s a story of determination and triumph.
### **All India Rank (2024)**
Varun Grover’s directorial debut, “All India Rank,” is set in the late ‘90s. It follows 17-year-old Vivek Singh (Bodhisattva Sharma) from Lucknow to Kota for IIT prep. Battling homesickness and societal pressures, Vivek’s journey is portrayed with authenticity. Watch this coming-of-age film filled with ‘90s nostalgia and heartfelt moments.
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**Kiran’s Gyan:**
*“Bollywood aur competitive exams ka rishta puraana hai! Jab tak exams hain, tab tak yeh stories bhi chalti rahengi. So, next time you feel like quitting, remember, tum bhi hero/heroine ban sakte ho apni life ki! 🎬✨”*
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