Kota Factory and Aspirants are both produced and presented by TVF. The two shows showcase the lives of students and the emotional turmoil they go through in order to clear the entrance exams of, IIT in Kota Factory and UPSC in Aspirants. Thus, the premise of both the shows is pretty much the same. In both of them, Kota and Rajinder Nagar, have been personified as a place that has seen multiple shattered dreams and success stories. The plotline also runs parallel. Both the shows are based on the journeys of three friends, of varying personalities and perspectives having a common aim to achieve. There is also a mentor figure in both, whose names are followed by “bhaiya”.

The three main characters, Vaibhav, Meena, and Uday in Kota Factory and Abhilash, SK and Guri in Aspirants have very similar characteristics and qualities. Abhilash and Vaibhav are the prototypes of hardworking and ambitious individuals. In order to succeed they both put in their blood and sweat. Both are determined and do not give up, even after prominent setbacks. Be it in the case of Vaibhav who is not able enroll in the best coaching institute but gradually levels up from batch A10 to A5 of Prodigy coaching center and then to A1 of Maheshwari coaching center, the one he wished for. Or Abhilash who even after failing in the initial four attempts clears the UPSC entrance exam and becomes a successful IAS officer. 

In the case of Meena and SK, both are extremely sensitive and kind. They go out of their way to help their friends when they are in need. In Kota Factory, Meena tries to help Vaibhav settle in the new city and makes him feel comfortable in the new environment Vaibhav. While in Aspirants, SK is always there for Abhilash when he feels demotivated and needs a push.

The third friend, Uday in Kota Factory and Guri in Aspirants, are those members of the group who always keep their spirits high. Both are ahead of others in terms of relationships. Uday has Meenal and Guri has Pragati. Though they do not study much themselves, they are always there to motivate their friends when they need it.

Apart from the three of them, Kota Factory features Jeetu bhaiya, probably the most loved fictional teacher in recent times. He play a character who is more like an agony aunt for the students. Be it doubts related to academics or relationship advice, he is up for everything. He also shares a unique rapport with the protagonist, Vaibhav. In the same way, Sandeep bhaiya in Aspirants is the one who is a senior amongst other aspirants. He has a soothing personna. He compels Abhilash to introspect and understand his decision to become an IAS officer first, and thereby leads him in a much clearer mindspace. Both Jeetu bhaiya and Sandeep bhaiya have a composed and subtle presence in their respective shows, which form the basis of their popularity.

Another area where parallels can be drawn are the love interests of both the protagonists, Vaibhav and Abhilash. Meenal in Kota Factory and Dhairya in Aspirants, both are very focussed towards their goal. Both are very good at their respective subjects of study and play pretty much the same role of guiding their partners and showing them the right way to succeed.

Ultimately, TVF’s Kota Factory and Aspirants, both have the same premise, just that the end goal is to clear two different entrance examinations. A common criticism is that the female characters have not much to do in both the shows. They have been used as mere props to navigate the journeys of the protagonists, Vaibhav and Abhilash. The endings are also cliched and very predictable. The repetition of the same concept and storyline by the production company, TVF makes the two a hybrid of one another. Ironically, both the shows have enormous viewership and have built a huge fanbase for themselves. TVF seems to echo that old saying in show business - that if there’s a formula that works, then why change it? Keep doing it over and over again until the audiences get sick of it. Perhaps, the simplicity with which the shows have been presented attracts audiences. And amongst the average Indian viewers, Aspirants (TVF’s latest release) is a super hit. However, it would be great to see TVF expand their scope and bring more interesting stories to life rather than focusing on a male, student in their 20s trying to make it in the world. If that was the description for the show on any OTT platform, it could be talking about any show that TVF has made in the last 8 years.

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