For people of the west, the only glimpses into Indian Culture are from Slumdog Millionaire. While that tale is fun, it is told from an outsiders point of view into the country. The White Tiger is the opposite: it drops you deep into the mind and soul of a person deep ingrained in traditional Indian society. And while we get a glimpse into life inside the Indian caste system, you’ll also be reminded of those Roger Ebert words “the movies are a vehicle for empathy” as Balram’s (Adarsh Gourav) problems are shared by at least half of the world’s low income population, just tying to pull themselves out of their plight.
Balram is from the lowest of the low: a low caste Indian family with dark skin that exists only to serve their masters with zero resources at their disposal. Balram is gifted enough and determined enough to learn Englishand get driving instructions to become the driver for Ashok (Rajkummar Rao) and Pinky (Priyanka Chopra Jonas), members of the upper caste whom his family pays dues to. Having recently returned from the US, Pinky and Ashok have plans to grow their modest wealth into something bigger by moving to Delhi, taking the inquisitive but loyal Balram with them, opening his tiny world into a wealth of new experiences, both amazing and terrifying.
What gives this White Tiger its power is how it immerses you in Balram’s world view. Even though Balram shows his ambition early and often, through inner monologue, we see the limits of his dreams coming from a poor community. Some of this is because the lack of resources and world understanding emasculates him in front of others, making him fearful to exert himself. But most of this comes from his oft used metaphor of a chicken coop, imprisoning each hapless creature until the rich and powerful can cut them to pieces and serve them to their friends. Balram early on figures out he is in a prison, but even he was unaware at how deep the levels of imprisonment exist in India’s caste system. Every little victory or progress up the economic ladder is met with new, unknown barriers and threats to overcome to put a ceiling on your dreams. As Balram’s eyes uncover deeper and deeper layers, he starts to question every interaction, every person, and every thought he’s ever had. Those once beautiful high rises he saw for the first time? Maybe they’re not beautiful, but horribly imposing and unattainable.
Outside of Balram’s head, The White Tiger also has an engaging narrative. Similar to Bong Joon Ho’s Parasite, Balram tries to work his way out of his current lot in life, learning from the perspectives of his “masters” of Ashok and Pinky. With all of these people trying to better themselves, the movie feels most of the time like a mystery crossed with a mafia film; if Balram makes a mistake, someone’s right there to set him straight, and probably to either “get rid of him” or simply fire him, which over the long run means the same as “get rid of him.” There’s also heist elements at times when Balram starts to understand how to use the system better. We meet all these various worlds of people divided because of the fortunate/unfortunate caste they fell into, which Balram has to navigate and master in order to get ahead. The biggest sight we see is the duality of India: like societies everywhere, India’s rich at the top live a life of frivolity and power, while those at the bottom either make do with what they have or do what they can to try to move on up in society. Much of the film’s success is due to the leads. Adarsh Gourav is excellent playing Balram, undergoing all sorts of transformations throughout the story. Rajkummar Rao and Priyanka Chopra Jonas are also excellent, sucking you in with their charm and warmth mixed with naivete.
The US has The Grapes of Wrath. Korea has Parasite. And now India has The White Tiger, which takes a good long look at what it’s like to be on the lower run of a society’s ladder. The Lesson? It sucks to be on the bottom; you can’t trust anyone, because they’re the farm owner, and you’re in the chicken coop, waiting to be eaten. It’s a sobering lesson for everyone, but an important and maybe perspective altering one, if White Tiger grabs you like it did me.