Directed by: Ramin Bahrani
Cast: Adarsh Gourav, Rajkummar Rao, Priyanka Chopra, Mahesh Manjrekar,
BLUF
The White Tiger is a satire on the caste and class divide in Indian society. India projects itself as a superpower with a booming economy and potential but the underbelly of its disjointed civic life has religious, caste, and class divide almost eating into its entire fabric. This is the story of an India where there are only two possibilities to survive – to eat or get eaten; to serve or be served.
THE MEAT AND THE POTATOES
Balram Halwai (beautifully played by Adarsh Gourav), is conditioned since childhood to realize his extreme potential to be a servant. He manipulates his way into being a driver to Ashok (Rajkummar Rao)and his wife Pinky (Priyanka Chopra Jonas), who has returned to India from the United States, is the modern son of a landlord (Mahesh Manjrekar) from Balram’s village Laxmangarh. An accident leaves Balram feeling vulnerable and his comfort in being secure in his job and for his life makes a massive shift. His instincts to protect his own life kick in and the story paces itself faster after that. The White Tiger is adapted from Aravind Adiga’s Booker-winning novel. The movie is written and directed by Ramin Bahrani, and produced by Mukul Deora, Ramin Bahrani, and Prem Akkaraju, and Priyanka Chopra.
IN THE ZONE
The White Tiger is Adarsh Gourav’s canvas. He holds the story together, dominates the attention, and romances the camera like a pro. So much so that the star power of Priyanka and Raj Kummar Rao diminishes even when Adarsh is not in the frame. Balram Halwai is a very consistent character and Adarsh’s evolution from his simpleton avatar to his white tiger incarnation is a treat to watch, Paolo Carnera’s cinematography is spectacular. In quick edits, by Tim Streeto the camera captures the squalor and the opulence of the Indian scenery with expertly positioned sights.
FWAR
The story lays bare the hypocrisy of the marketing India relies upon, yet covering up in the swanky wrappers of its appeal, is a society torn apart by issues of caste, religion, and class. The White Tiger is the story of the disadvantaged little guy – who only exists, but whose life holds no meaning as his entity is demolished by the cruelty of caste, religion, and dogma. The story is told using satire (like the animal analogies of the Stork and the Mongoose and roosters in a coup), smartly evocative screenplay, and polished intellect even when it touches upon plots that are so dark and disquieting. The White Tiger has to the watched for these subtle nuances of sensitive film making which Rami Bahrani has excelled at.
WHAT WE LOVED
Adarsh Gourav
Screenplay and Dialogues
Terrific imagery, cinematography, and editing
WHAT WE MISSED
The story drags in the middle.
