The White Tiger

The White Tiger: A Pitch-Dark and Funny Social Commentary

Balram Halwai, played by Adarsh Gourav, was born into a life of poverty in Laxmangarh, a small village in India. Despite his humble beginnings, he dreams of breaking free from the cycle of servitude and feudalism that has plagued his family for generations. The story is a retelling of Aravind Adiga's 2008 Man Booker Prize-winning book of the same name, and it is a pitch-dark yet humorous social commentary.

The film begins with Balram's father falling ill with tuberculosis, forcing the family to walk all night to reach a hospital two villages south of theirs. Tragically, his father doesn't make it, and Balram's grandmother pulls him and his brother out of school to work at a nearby tea shop. Balram's father was previously tied in servitude to a ruthless feudal lord, known as The Stork (played by Mahesh V. Manjrekar), who extracted every penny from the workers. Balram calls the mentality of serving one's master until death a 'rooster coop,' a state of being where generations of downtrodden people have been brainwashed into believing that they must serve and surrender to their masters at all costs.

Despite being a charming rebel in his family, Balram is unable to persuade his grandmother to lend him money to learn to drive. However, he doesn't give up and convinces his grandmother by promising to send all of his salary to the family at the end of every month. The Stork's younger, American-born son Ashok (played by Rajkummar Rao) and his interfaith wife Pinky madam (played by Priyanka Chopra Jonas) are in town and are looking for a second driver for their car. The story truly begins when these two worlds collide, creating a rare breed known as the White Tiger, believed to be born once in every generation.

At first, the trailer for Ramin Bahrani's ('99 Homes', 'Men Push Cart', 'Fahrenheit 451') The White Tiger may not inspire much enthusiasm. It appears to be another dramatic retelling of an outsider's understanding of India, an extension of 'Slumdog Millionaire' without the million-dollar question. However, this film is different. Rather than glorifying the poor and demonizing the rich, it is a mirror image of what some may say India has become. The regular overflow of cash is in the hands of a select few, while the have-nots perish because they are born poor, stay poor, learn to live poor, and die poor. In Bahrani's world, a rich Indian is no different from a helpless poor Indian trying to stay alive.

Balram's humble upbringing plays a role in his decision to ask for a salary cut as he believes it is too much for him. However, it is the same man who employs deception and becomes a shameless stooge to get the job he believes will change his fate. Bahrani's protagonist is a boiling pot, ready to boil over at the slightest provocation. Despite his soldier-like loyalty to his employer and abusive family, he battles his inner tension and the greedy animal within him that is drawn to the cash Ashok carries in a bag.

The narrative is a combination of class distinctions and casteism that have plagued India for ages, while politics and crooked politicians paint the backdrop of this social drama with catharsis. Before Balram can even consider becoming an entrepreneur, a female politician from 'chota jaat,' affectionately known as 'The Great Socialist,' climbs the ranks, forcing Balram to quench his insatiable thirst for power.

Conclusion

The White Tiger is a thought-provoking film that delves deep into the complexities of the Indian society and its class system. It highlights the harsh realities of the underprivileged and the corrupt system that they are trapped in. The film's narrative is compelling, and the performances by the cast are top-notch, with Adarsh Gourav giving a standout performance as Balram Halwai.

Overall, The White Tiger is a must-watch for anyone who wants to get a glimpse into the socio-political landscape of India and the struggles of the underprivileged. The film is a reminder that, despite the progress that the country has made, there is still a long way to go in terms of eradicating the deep-rooted societal issues that continue to plague India.