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COVID-19 Special: 'The White Tiger' (15)



Director: Ramin Bahrani

Cast: Adarsh Gourav, Rajkummar Rao, Priyanka Chopra Jones

Where can I watch?: The White Tiger is streaming on Netflix. 

Rating: 4/5

Review: Aravind Adiga's novel The White Tiger rocketed into the international bestseller lists when it was published in 2008. A darkly satirical study of Indian's caste system, the Man Booker Prize winner tackled everything from class to corruption, religion to rooster coops. It's perhaps strange, considering the novel's success, that it took so long for The White Tiger to be adapted into a film, but as director Ramin Bahrain shows, it was probably worth the wait. Taking on the central role of servant Balram is Adarsh Gourav: a mercurial screen presence, Gourav guides us through Balram's development from wide-eyed, eager driver to disillusioned servant and beyond with a deft, dependable hand. Balram's evolution from start to finish is entirely believable and, more importantly, wholly watchable - it's easy to image how the role could have descended into cliché in less capable hands. Through Balram's eyes, we witness the inequality that lingers at the heart of India's caste system, the duality of the social structure and the huge boundaries that someone must overcome to break out of their pre-assigned 'role'. Bahrani cleverly builds the tension by switching between timelines, and even though you know on some level what will happen, the 'reveal' is nonetheless shocking in its ruthless depiction of class privilege and a horrendous lack of empathy. Although violence is central to the narrative, it is never used gratuitously, with the rare smack, shove and gunshot making maximum impact throughout. It's gripping stuff, but, most importantly, it's insightful and infuriating - and very watchable.

A COVID-19 Must-Watch?: In a word, 'yes'. Gripping, acerbic and insightful in equal measure, The White Tiger is a welcome addition to Netflix's 'mixed' catalogue. 

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