Aspirants first impression: TVF charms with another Kota Factory-like show
The first episode of The Viral Fever’s latest web series Aspirants is out on YouTube and judging by the first episode, the Hindi web series ticks all the boxes that have now become a staple of TVF. It’s emotionally mature, has that spark of comedy and, more than anything, it feels like a relatable story.
Starring Naveen Kasturia, Abhilash Thapliyal, Sunny Hinduja and Shivankit Parihar, Aspirants follows UPSC aspirants who often spend years studying for the exams as they chase coveted bureaucratic positions. The monologue by Thapliyal, in one of the earlier scenes, establishes why these exams are almost sacred in our country, forcing the characters to put a stop on their lives as they give the exam. It is this monologue that draws you into the aspirants’ universe and keeps you involved for the next 40 minutes.
Much like Kota Factory, this series too follows the fragile dreams of students who aim to change their life. Here, that centre is Delhi’s Old Rajendra Nagar and the makers manage to capture the vibe of the locality almost instantly.
The first episode moves in two timelines. The first timeline has the three lead characters – Abhilash, SK and Guri, trying to prep for the exam — and the other timeline, which takes place six years on, has them navigating their friendship due to a past trauma.
