Cinema

Posts related to Cinema

How to write a protagonist ft. Kota Factory 

If you don’t know which show we will talk about today then you are living under the rocks. But to brief you a bit, Kota Factory is a black-and-white web show by T.V.F, and its third season was released on June 20 and has been booming ever since; the show also landed on the worldwide highest ranking of its highest trending series on Netflix.

Centered around Vaibhav, our protagonist, who comes to Kota to prepare for JEE, makes some friends, and explores what student life in Kota is like. 

But it’s not only Vaibhav who gets to explore this aspect of Kota, but you along with him also get on the ride to experience what it feels like to be a JEE aspirant in Kota. 

You might have heard enough about how good the show is all across the internet. But, In this article, I’ll discuss one thing in particular, which Kota Factory has cracked well: How the Kota Factory taught us to Write a Good Protagonist.

Realistic

The foremost trait of a realistic character is authenticity.  

In the first season, Vaibhav moves out from his home to Kota and struggles to live a life away from his parents. He doesn’t enjoy the food, the water, and the environment at first but slowly and steadily he develops. 

The authenticity with which this situation fits the protagonist makes for an amazing realistic connection.  

The portrayal of authentic undertones of a student’s life and trying to make sense of everything is a perfect example of how to write and place a realistic and simple character in a show made around and for students. 

Relatable

In fiction story-telling, it’s enigmatic to write a character that resonates with the audience. 

For Example, When Vaibhav starts his journey in Kota he faces the consequences of lagging, his irritation is visible through constantly studying and not finding a balance, and even little moments of joy and infatuation provide a sense of relatability.  

The consequences, ruthlessness, irritation, and triumphant are surreal which is as exact as any guy around his age would behave.

Mediocre

Since Kota Factory is not aiming for an out-of-the-box protagonist they have kept the character of Vaibhav mediocre keeping in mind the audience who are to witness it. 

Vaibhav does not hoard any extraordinary talent, he scores decent marks and focuses constantly on doing well in his studies.  

There are hardly any protagonists who are framed in a mediocre light.

Unique and Memorable

The Mediocracy brightens the overall protagonist personality of Vaibhav. 

As I mentioned earlier, there are hardly any protagonists who are framed in a mediocre light, which makes for a unique and memorable protagonist for Kota Factory. 

If Jeetu Bhaiya is loved for his motivational dialogues, Vaibhav as a protagonist should be loved for the sense of belonging towards the character. 

Finally, A Satisfying Protagonist

After all the qualities we mentioned around Vaibhav in this article, it’s safe to say that he qualifies as a satisfying protagonist. 

He is mediocre, relatable, realistic, and feels like one of us. Imagine a main character who is like you and wouldn’t it automatically make you feel better confident and motivated for life? 

Finally, The main character doesn’t have to be extraordinary, they can be like you and me. 

By Kritika Pandey, ago

A Deep Dive into All India Rank

“All India Rank” is a story about the constant pressure of post-liberalization and the competitive spirit that a middle-class guy feels while preparing for IIT. But in the end, the moral serves what one needs is balance.

My driving motivation for watching this film was Varun Grover, who has written brilliant songs like “Moh Moh Ke Dhaage” and dialogues for “Masaan”. Being a fan of his lyrical writing and stand-up comedy, this was my perfect chance to witness his nuance of filmmaking as a debutant filmmaker.

Even though you may have seen this take on IIT prep earlier in “Kota Factory”, “All India Rank” tries its best to capture the essence of the heat that goes around the coaching centers in Kota. Other than the heat of preparation, what the film captures well is the quintessence of the ’90s.

In this article, I have mentioned those parts of the film that are heartwarming yet explain the nuances of the film. So let’s jump right into it.

Home-Made Ladoos

 If you have ever lived away from home, you will understand the value of a box filled with homemade ladoos. Vivek, the protagonist of this story, arrives at his hostel with a bag full of expectations and a box of ladoos that he has to ration through the entire year. These ladoos have helped him on sleepless nights when he has prepared for his mock tests. This element in the film is a direct indication of packed love that reminds you of home. Also, a constant reminder of why you are away from home.

Middle-Class

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 The middle class is a section of society that often places a great deal of focus on the education of their children. This focus can result in significant pressure being placed on the child to achieve academic success. This pressure is often closely tied to the parents’ aspirations for their child. 

For Vivek, who comes from a middle-class background, the dream of attending IIT is especially important to him and his parents. However, this dream is not necessarily his own; rather, it is something that his parents have planned for him. This can create a great deal of stress and pressure for Vivek, as he works to fulfill his parents’ expectations.

Routine Phone Calls & Chat-Limit

A 90s era is best described as the pre-smartphone era. when people made calls through PCOs (Public Call Offices). You might have seen this romanticized in Bollywood films, where PCO calling was often portrayed as a way for lovers to communicate. In the All India Rank, PCO calls were limited to four minutes, which meant that even though there was so much to talk about, everything had to be said within that short timeframe. Those four minutes were often the most meaningful moments of the day, until the conversation turned towards mundane topics like preparing for IIT exams.

Life & Hormones

The movie has astutely addressed the problems faced by adolescents. It depicts the life of a 17-year-old and how he copes with the hormonal changes that his body undergoes during that time. Masturbation, developing a fondness for a girl, and other experiences that teenage boys typically encounter are some of the significant changes that occur during puberty, and this film has delicately touched on those subjects. 

Life Post IIT preparation

Upon returning home after a year of preparing for the IIT, Vivek noticed that the situation at his house had changed. His father had lost his job, and his mother had developed high cholesterol and was bedridden. Now, the pressure to clear the IIT was even greater. All the responsibility and hope for happiness rested on young Vivek’s shoulders, as he pursued a goal he wasn’t sure he even wanted.

The film “All India Rank”goes beyond the nuances that I’ve mentioned. I’m not writing a mundane review that you can find on the internet. Instead, I want to express my admiration for Varun Grover’s art of filmmaking. Despite some flaws here and there, I thoroughly enjoyed this film.

If you haven’t watched “All India Rank” yet, I highly recommend heading to your nearest theater before it leaves.

By Kritika Pandey, ago

Why Films are Important?

Around 40,000 years ago, before the advent of cinema, there existed painting as a means of describing emotions, actions, and their outcomes. Later, theater emerged as a form of entertainment that enabled audiences to experience real and imagined events live. Advancement in theater lead to Cinema where experiences, stories, ideas and atmosphere were showcased through the use of moving images. 

  Over time, Cinema has become a popular pastime for audiences , but is Cinema just a way to kill boredom? While Films can certainly help to pass the time during a long flight or bring a family together over snacks on the sofa, it should be viewed as more than just a source of entertainment. Cinema can serve as a tool for learning or even therapy. The purpose of cinema goes beyond mere amusement and can be well-described as such:

  • Cinema Makes us Appreciate Our Privileges
Do Dooni Chaar

Many of us perceive our lives as dull, unhappy, and stressful. However, the world of cinema presents us with stories of everyday life, capturing human moments that we might have otherwise overlooked. Heartwarming songs and intimate details within these stories allow us to connect and relate to them, adding some flavor to our mundane lives. The purpose of these tales is to help us appreciate the beauty of our ordinary lives, instead of complaining about them.

  • Cinema Prepares us For Future Conflicts
Black Swan

Sometimes you are unaware of the end results of your action and you end up attempting mistakes that you shouldn’t have. The portrayal of the situations in any film and its extreme outcome can probably prepare you for future conflicts and the result of the conflict.

  • Cinema Frames Vivid Human Conditions and Emotions 

It is easy to live inside our own bubbles, unaware of the challenges, sorrows, and injustices that exist in the world. However, the purpose of cinema is to bring you stories, scenarios and cases that will open your eyes to things you may not have known about before. This is the power of cinema; it makes you more aware and human, and it keeps you grounded. It reminds us that there are lives being lived beyond our own experiences that we should be aware of.

  •   Cinema Portrays Risks On-Screen 
Free Solo

The act of witnessing someone stepping outside of their comfort zone can be incredibly inspiring. It can fuel you with the motivation to try something new, even if it may seem daunting at first. Heroic tales and motivational stories have the power to encourage you to take risks and push yourself beyond your limits. Movies can also serve as a source of inspiration, motivating you to do something extraordinary.  

Films can do so much for us. They depict our emotions and cultivate empathy, they comfort our unimaginable fear, they shape our understanding of what is considered normal, they take us toward good conduct. It’s time that we should stop looking at cinema as only a mere form of entertainment in society. Cinema at its finest,  is a guide to life and applied philosophy. 

By Kritika Pandey, ago