Actress Tillotama Shome who is all set to be featured in the third season of Kota Factory shared her views on the plotline of the series. The actress in a recent interview with The Telegraph Online, revealed she thinks the series puts youth and their stories in centre. The Netflix produced by The Viral Fever (TVF) is based on Rajasthan’s Kota which is considered the coaching hub for students aspiring to get into an Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) by cracking the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE). The actress who is notable for roles in critically acclaimed films like”Monsoon Wedding”, “Shanghai”, “Qissa: The Tale of a Lonely Ghost”, “A Death in the Gunj” and “Sir” will portray the role of chemistry teacher Pooja Agarwal in the popular series. Let’s check out the complete details of her interview.
Tillotama Shome said the youth of our country is our future
The 45-year-old said of the show, “We worry so much about the future as human beings but we don’t invest in the future? The youth of our country, they are the future. And this was a show that really walks the talk and it was a show that finally puts the youth, their stories, aspirations, dreams and worries in the centre. We have so many expectations and criticism about them. But as adults, what do we do to enable the youth or to give them some space in our storytelling and cinema? This was rare for many reasons and when I got out of that call (with TVF), my news feed had the unfortunate and tragic news of students of Kota having ended their life.”
The series also tackles the sensitive topic of suicide by aspirants which is quite prevalent in the city of Rajasthan frequently in the headlines. “Often as artists, we feel very handcuffed because we have chosen to speak through our work. So it’s rare when you get an opportunity to actually speak to something that matters,” the actor said of the issue.
“We live in a time when everything is successful…. But it has to move me. It has to move the needle in some way. And it’s very hard to interpret it immediately because like good teachers and most things in life, you see the impact of a good teacher or a show, many years down the line.” Shome noted.
She also shared her admiration for Jitendra Kumar who plays the fan-favourite character of Jeetu Bhaiya, “I was so moved when I got to know that there are teachers in Kota, who felt after watching Jeetendra’s performance as Jeetu bhaiya and they felt that they needed to pull up their socks. So that’s an impact for you, right? It doesn’t always happen.”
Pretty much like the show’s message Shome also believes it isn’t required to also be at the top to prove yourself.
“As an adult and as a professional also, I don’t feel I have to be at the top of anything. I just want to play. I want to be in this world that I’ve chosen and that I love. It feels like you are reducing something so insanely amazing, whether it’s education, acting or any career. I don’t believe in that kind of corruption, this top three mentality and front page visibility. I don’t think you really love the subject. You just love power. What are you going to do with it? Even if you come fourth, you can still work,” Shome noted.
Directed by Pratish Mehta and run by Raghav Subbu, “Kota Factory 3” is currently streaming on Netflix.
Also read: Vijay Varma Opened Up About His Character in ‘Mirzapur 3’
