The film 3 Idiots and the web series Kota Factory have unintentionally become a celebrated duo that made engineers feel seen and heard like never before.
For a long time, doctors and engineers were considered as the pinnacle of success in Indian society, with parents often choosing these paths for their children. While today’s young adults have more career options, engineering remains one of the most sought-after field, especially in a country that symbolises its stability and respect. However, for decades, Indian cinema barely scratched the surface of the authentic experience of engineering students until 3 Idiots and Kota Factory came along.
These two pivotal pieces of content not only brought the lives of engineers to the forefront but also humanized their journey, struggles, and aspirations, becoming cultural phenomena in the process. Together, they offered fresh, unfiltered perspectives on the realities of aspiring engineers and the societal pressures they face.
Released in 2009, 3 Idiots, directed by Rajkumar Hirani, was a game-changer for Indian cinema. Often said to be loosely adapted from Chetan Bhagat's novel Five Point Someone, the film offered a sharp critique of India's rigid, exam-centric education system, where students were often forced into a one-size-fits-all approach. Set in an elite engineering college, it follows three friends—Rancho,Farhan, and Raju—navigating academic pressures while pursuing their true passions. What set 3 Idiots apart was its portrayal of the daily life of engineering students, balancing humour and heartfelt moments with serious issues like student suicides, parental pressure, and the need for creative thinking. Rancho’s character, in particular, symbolised rebellion against rote learning, emphasizing that education should be about curiosity and innovation, not just grades! This message resonated deeply with everyone as it challenged the deep-rooted belief that academic success automatically leads to happiness. Using the engineering backdrop to address larger systemic issues, the film sparked public conversations about mental health, academic pressure, and the need for a more flexible approach to education. And in that sense, 3 Idiots became more than just a film—it was a movement for change!
Kota Factory became a darker, more realistic lens for engineering aspirants!
Building on the legacy of 3 Idiots, Kota Factory, released in 2019 by TVF (The Viral Fever), took a more grounded and raw approach to the engineering journey. The series dives into the life of 16-year-old Vaibhav, who moves to Kota, Rajasthan—an infamous hub for IIT-JEE coaching centres. Shot in black-and-white, the series contrasts the colourful optimism of 3 Idiots by highlighting the gruelling, often dehumanizing process of preparing for one of the toughest engineering entrance exams in the world. It provides an unflinching look at the intense competition, sleepless nights, and psychological toll of being an engineering aspirant in Kota, where coaching institutes treat students as numbers rather than individuals, and failure is not an option.
But what makes the show iconic is its empathy for its characters, Meena, Uday, Vartika, Shivangi. While the series does not shy away from showing the harsh realities of the Indian education system, it offers moments of hope, friendship, and inspiration. Characters like Jeetu Bhaiya offer wisdom and guidance that transcend mere academic performance. This balance between the challenges of student life and the bonds that keep them going made Kota Factory relatable and impactful, offering a more realistic portrayal of the engineering world.
A cultural phenomenon: Redefining the engineering narrative
In a country where engineering is often glorified as the ultimate career path, 3 Idiots and Kota Factory redefined how society views the profession by humanizing the students behind the degrees. Separately, 3 Idiots offered a mainstream, optimistic take on breaking away from societal norms, while Kota Factory gave voice to the unseen masses grinding away in coaching centres, desperate for success. But together, these two works brought engineering students out of the shadow and into the spotlight, offering different perspectives on the emotional, mental, and physical cost of pursuing this career. They also celebrated the resilience, friendship, and hope that keep these students going through tough times.
Beyond their entertainment value, both content sparked crucial conversations about educational reform. 3 Idiots encouraged schools and families to reconsider rigid academic expectations, while Kota Factory forced society to reflect on the overwhelming pressures of coaching institutions and the real cost of academic success. By taking different yet complementary approaches—one reformative and hopeful, the other raw and realistic—these stories offered a holistic view of what it means to pursue engineering in India.
In doing so, they gave visibility to a generation of students whose struggles often go unnoticed, creating space for deeper conversations about what truly matters in education and life. Whether you resonate with the message of personal freedom in 3 Idiots or the perseverance in Kota Factory, both, the film and series, have ensured that the stories of engineers will continue to be told with empathy and depth.
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