A man sheds expectations in The White Tiger, the latest from writer/director Ramin Bahrani.
Balram was happy to be a driver at first. The man he worked for was kind and not overly demanding, and to achieve such a position was all he had ever been told to hope for. He was part of the lower class, after all, so servitude was his place, but getting so close to the upper class eventually opens his eyes. The corruption and disregard for life that fuels their wealth become impossible to ignore, and eventually, Balram sees no reason not to grab some for himself.
Adapted from the Man Booker Prize-winning novel of the same name, this is the kind of meaty, prestigious material many have been waiting for Bahrani to take on. He burst onto the scene with the acclaimed Man Push Cart and Chop Shop, but the ensuing years have seen him struggle to find the right material to build his career on. The White Tiger, with its strong class commentary and darkly humorous tone, is definitely something that, if he pulls it off, would bring him right back to the forefront.
Priyanka Chopra Jonas’ name is getting pushed as the biggest star involved, but this will really be Adarsh Gourav’s film to carry as Balram. With only a few small roles under his belt, this will be quite the introduction to audiences, and it could be as much of a career-turning moment as it is for Bahrani.
With a dense story and an audience-friendly tone, The White Tiger could well be a big hit for Netflix and should be well worth checking out.
The White Tiger is directed by Ramin Bahrani and stars Adarsh Gourav, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, and Rajkummar Rao. It will be released in the US in select theaters in December and on Netflix worldwide on January 22nd, 2021.
Do you think this will live up to the award-winning book? Let us know in the comments!
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