The White Tiger (2021) User Reviews

Reading the book helped a lot

[jdengraver · 7/10 · 29 January 2021]

As a person who is not Indian nor ever been to India, I'm not sure my critique is warranted. I know India has huge issues with poverty and class systems, but is this really how it is? I'm not complaining. But I also don't want to pigeon-hole the country based on this movies portrayal.

It's a harsh film highlighting the desperate plight of just one man among the MILLIONS of poor and starving in India and his desire to ascend... no matter the cost.

The film followed the path of the book almost flawlessly.

The story of Balram is definitley rags to riches. But it is certainly not "feel good" or glamorous. India is portrayed as a brutal country and if you are not wealthy or politically wired, you're existance is simply reduced to a waiting game with death as the end result.

To sum it up in one phrase, this movie could be tagged; "Dog eat dog." Other reviewers expressed their disgust at the protagonists methods for success. But I also bet they've never been poor, let alone poor in India.

You can discuss ethics and morality from the comfort of your lounge room/home theatre all you want. It means nothing if you've never walked a mile in these people's shoes (and most don't even have those).

It's not for everyone. But that doesn't mean it's a bad film. But it is certainly confronting.

Amazing first half!!

[ramo140 · 7/10 · 24 January 2021]

The first half is really fast paced and really pulls you in. However halfway in the movie starts to drag and the climax is not that big of a payoff. However it's still a thoroughly enjoyable movie that I highly recommend.

THE CASTE CLIMBER

[MadamWarden · 8/10 · 29 January 2021]

This is an excellent, fun yet stunningly tragic, insight into the caste system in India. For anyone never having visited India, they would think this complete fantasy. Yet. It is incredibly real. India is an extraordinary chasm between the haves and the have nots. Don't be fooled thinking it is about wealth and poverty. It is about being a person or a slave. The majority of Indians' lives are destined to be less than human. Slaves.

This little gem of a movie covers the tragedy through the eyes of a country "mouse". A lovely villager, played superbly by Adash Gourav. A truly memorable performance.

This is a memorable movie and I highly recommend it to anyone remotely interested in India.

Well Acted Movie

[nishantfaujdar · 8/10 · 22 January 2021]

I don't know how this has some poor ratings. Script and acting of this were fabulous. And throughout whole movie you rarely look at your watch. It kept you hooked till the end. Speaking of end, it could be more dramatic or interesting but overall it was fun to watch this kind of cinema now a days. Give it a shot you won't regret.

Adarsh Gaurav shines

[vikassud · 7/10 · 29 January 2021]

Adarsh Gaurav stole the entire screen space. Even though his role was titular, he was pitched up against Priyanka Chopra and Rrajkumar Rao, both acting giants. Hence, coming out tops over them was no joke. His prowess in the acting department was refreshing to experience. Watch the movie especially for his performance.

An Indian story made for a western audience

[i_odin · 6/10 · 23 January 2021]

The White Tiger belongs to the class of cinema which is being told by a breed of not-so-Indian storytellers who seems to understand Indian problems. Sometimes they miss and sometimes they hit bullseye. This film is somewhere in between. If you go by the story, then you know this film is quintessentially Indian telling the story in a way so as to engage the western audience also. And by doing so, it somehow abandons that Indian audience. As an indian, there are far more superior quality cinema already made (most of them in regional cinemas) who tackles this subject with not just more sincerity but also with a heart. This film is often fails to do so and seems soulless. But having said that unfortunately AND fortunately this film will get a greater acceptance in the west because it presents the story in a way the West understands the problem. For instance, a small trivial detail might not matter to a western audience but the fact that the Stork even with his vast wealth and cultural superiority complex decides to travel in a sleeper class (or could easily be just General Class) of a train can and will erk an Indian audience. But for a Westerner that is just an exotic scene describing "how Indians travel". Same applies to the caste divide. For some foreigner the fact that one character is upper caste and the other is lower caste is enough for them to (have the illusion that they) understand India's vast cultural divide. But for an Indian that's just gross simplification.

As I said these are just trivial details but they explain so much more about the intent of the makers. Maybe it was a conscious decision but as an Indian that's just mediocre cinema.

Waiting for the worm to turn.

[planktonrules · 9/10 · 20 August 2021]

"The White Tiger" is a film set in India and the actors are Indian as well, though the production appears made for audiences outside India who are not familiar with their political and social systems. As a result, the film explains to the audience in many portions...something I really liked and appreciated.

The story follows the life of Balram (Adarsh Gourav), a poor young man with few prospects in love other than poverty. However, he aspires to move up...to the role of a servant. For folks of his social class, this is a huge improvement with more opportunities. After obtaining a job as a driver, Balram is slavishly devoted to the family who employs him. However, again and again the family treats him like garbage. Or, they treat him well one moment and the next, he's garbage once again. Throughout the entire film, Balram keeps smiling and taking their abuse...and the viewer is left wondering will he eventually turn? Will he rise up against these cruel and unjust jerks? And, if he does....what next?!

The film is very eye-opening in its cynicism. Democratic and free India is shown as a land of hypocrisy....and cheating and even worse are what you need to be prepared to do if you want to move up to the middle and upper classes. Bribes to government officials and the police (a frequent topic in Indian films, as they seem to take this as a normal part of business) as well as contempt for the poor...this is the sort of India you see in this movie.

Overall, this is a film that starts slowly but really sucks you in due to excellent writing and a script and style that is unlike most Bollywood films I have seen. There are not song and dance routines and the story is not a nice love story...but more a documentary style film about class struggle. Well worth your time and exceptional.

You have to realize that the lead is a sympathetic villain, not a hero

[siderite · 7/10 · 2 March 2021]

We are slaves to the narratives we've been fed since childhood. The White Tiger is about that and slyly works on the same mechanism, as well. You see, you think you will watch a story of the rise of a nice boy from poverty, but in fact it is the story of the forced corruption of a man. This might not sit well with you because, you see, you've been told stories when you were raised about how the good in people always triumphs. I find it hilarious that the viewer is somehow pulled in as a character in the lesson of this film.

And there are a lot of positives for the film: the acting was top notch, the story held so many little excruciating moments - like watching the training of a dog: you cringe, but somehow see the value in it. You wouldn't want to be the dog, but hey, you're not, so it's OK. It also dissects the culture of India, shows some horrific systemic problems with the country. The main character exclaims in disgust "The biggest democracy in the world", but fails to realize, maybe even up to the end, that the fact people continue to put up with everything and organically organize hierarchically is an artifact of democracy, that things are kind of the same all over the place, maybe without the over the counter slave mentality, but very similar nonetheless.

Not everything is good. The story told as the writing of an email, the hinted at but never realized idea of the white man's yoke being replaced by the brown and yellow man's.... yoke, the ending. I would have given this film one full extra star if not for the weak ending.

Bottom line: teaches one about the realities of the soon most numerous country in the world, but also about the commonalities with other places. I would love to see a sequel/remake set in the US or in the Netherlands. Make it a series about people that wake up.

An 'Indian' movie clearly aimed at a western audience.

[MOscarbradley · 7/10 · 2 February 2021]

Produced by Netflix and clearly aimed at an international, or at least a western, audience Ramin Bahrani's film version of Aravind Adiga's best-selling novel "The White Tiger" is a 'modern' Indian's vision of India filtered through western eyes. It's hero, Balram, (an excellent Adarsh Gourav), is an ambitious lower-caste servant who finagles his way into a rich landlord's home as a driver before circumstances force him to take drastic action to better himself and become, as he describes it, an entrepeneur.

it's an entertaining movie crammed full of 'local colour' with an eye very much on the tourist market but it lacks depth. Themes like poverty, the caste-system and political corruption, (rife it would appear), are glossed over in favour of a thriller plot as if dwelling on these issues in any detail would detract from what is primarily 'an entertainment'. The film feels a little too "Slumdog Millionaire" when it should be "Wall Street" with Gourav as both Michael Douglas and Charlie Sheen. By the time it moves into darker territory it feels more than a little contrived. Still, it's redeemed by Gourav's outstanding performance, clearly marking him out as a talent to watch in the future.

Netflix's first Great Movie for 2021

[royhectorkabanlit · 10/10 · 23 January 2021]

Netflix's first great Movie of 2021. This is based on a Novel, but assuming that most of what's shown is true then this is a pretty effective Social Commentary about the Modern Day Slave Culture in India.

The Movie is seen from the Point of View of the Main Character Balwan as he struggles thru the Life after being born thru one of India's Lower Castes.

It starts off with a lot of Humor, but as the Movie progresses it just go darker and darker. It will make you laugh but at the same time also make you angry about the Social Injustices.

The Storytelling and Characterizations are pretty good, a Must See Movie for me.

Book > Movie

[chlorophyllus · 7/10 · 23 January 2021]

I have read the book around 2009 and when it got man booker it also got a fair amount of criticism for showing India in badlight. Whenever I saw this book in the shelf I was wondering why a movie has not been made which it deserves. Finally it happened in 2021. I felt the white tiger as a movie was some what rushed and all things happened very quickly but thankfully this adaptation doesn't spoil the books reputation either. A good watch

It's a wake-up call for bollywood

[varghesebabu · 8/10 · 22 January 2021]

Good movie it's deserves more attention.priyanka did an excellent job

Best picture

[rosgemchar · 7/10 · 1 February 2021]

A marvelous film. The moral of the story ( how to get ahead in India) however, is shocking. Whoa. The lead actor, Adarsh, is terrific. Best acting I've seen in a long time.

Not suitable for bollywood

[amitkowe-25983 · 10/10 · 22 January 2021]

Most of the people of India r not understand this kind of movies. They just love mirch masala n songs. They don't have that kind of view which can see the reality of content.

This movie is very very grounded n real. Please watch it n support the movie.

'The White Tiger' delivers thrills and social commentary

[Sir_AmirSyarif · 7/10 · 14 January 2021]

A cross between 'Slumdog Millionaire' (Danny Boyle, 2007) and 'Parasite' (Bong Joon-ho, 2019), Ramin Bahrani's 'The White Tiger' roars as it expertly integrates an engrossing socio-political commentary about the rich poor divide in India with a thrilling, bitingly cynical narrative. Bahrani's direction is clear and controlled but, unfortunately, unable to develop the screenplay to the point required for success. The cast breathes some decent life into the material at times with Adarsh Gourav leads with a highly entertaining performance.

Almost as good as the book!

[mmadhavapai · 9/10 · 22 January 2021]

Loved the muted melodrama & realism! God bless you Priyanka for putting your money behind one of my favorite books! Cheers...

Once in a generation...

[Pjtaylor-96-138044 · 7/10 · 20 February 2021]

Though it has an odd, pretty iffy overall message, 'The White Tiger (2021)' is typically an entertaining and engaging time. It's a story about a poor man who uses his wit and cunning to work his way up the chain of servitude to try and improve his standing. The film puts a spotlight on the poverty divide in India, an issue which is perpetuated by deep-rooted social inequalities. For the most part, you're firmly on the side of the protagonist. This is true even after he starts to make some questionable decisions, although there does come a point where his actions are too extreme to, shall we say, cheer for. Still, the story is dark and its moral ambiguity is a key component. It's well-made and convincing from start to finish. It's an enjoyable experience. The pacing is a bit off, though, and the ending feels very rushed. 7/10

Not Bollywood, but neither Hollywood

[sanda_moroianu · 7/10 · 26 January 2021]

Reading through the reviews, one can easily notice which are written by Indian viewers and which aren't. This is indicative of the rating, the critical approach and the overall evaluation, so it came as a surprise that some of the best/ worst ratings came from Indians. Being neither Indian, nor westerner, but from a country which has next to nothing to do with the Indian culture and ways of life, I always look for movies which could help me advance in understanding such a different country. In spite of the numerous scenes depicting Indian life realistically, on the whole the film gives somehow the sensation of superficiality, just like a tourist who spends two weeks traveling around monasteries and other places of worship and returns home with the firm belief that they fully grasped Indian philosophy and they are better for it. I chose to consider this film as a bitter satire of how to advance in the world when one comes from an underprivileged environment- cast or no cast system: either by crime, which doesn't have to be literally murder, but sometimes it is, or by way of politics. And, guess what, it appears to be so in most cases, irrespective of country or culture. This message could have been conveyed in less viewing time, definitely. There are moments which fail to convince- for instance the mighty Stork taking a train- albeit in first class. So does the sudden transformation from an enlightened upper class guy with studies in the States to a vulgar, classical mobster of the younger brother. Also, the sudden burst of violence of the protagonist, otherwise a leacherous character who tries to break the cast walls through smooth talking and absolute obedience. In spite of all of the above, White Tiger is worth watching for the numerous moments that bring one closer to a different world and for the performances of Ardash Gourav and Priyanka Chopra.

The White Tiger Review!!

[bmovies-70839 · 10/10 · 16 January 2021]

Amazing!!!!!Just Superb Story And Performances By All The Actors Especially Adarsh Gaurav and Rajkummar Rao.Just Give It A Watch Because it deserves it

Compelling Story with a Divisive Ending

[tmans713 · 7/10 · 25 January 2021]

The White Tiger is an atypical rags to riches story, in which a poor Indian driver named Balram strives to raise his status in life. However, India's two caste system makes this dream all but impossible. The acting is outstanding and the story is very compelling. I'm conflicted about the ending because even though I can sympathize with Balram's story, I'm not thrilled about the person he turns into by the end.

Film is art

[zt-31029 · 9/10 · 31 January 2021]

Incredible how many commentators believe this film is literally a calling for the poor to kill the rich. The film is social commentary but above all it is art. Story telling that uses extremes tells us something greater about ourselves and the world around us. The film interrogates the problems of caste and poverty. It highlights the contradictions in society and how the suffering of millions is so easily obscured. His master will never truly comprehend the misery that surrounds all those in his wake. The darker conclusion of the film is that if justice is not possible at all, then how will progress ever be made. Brilliant acting throughout, thought provoking and stylish. Highly recommend.

Journey to break away from the rooster coop

[kamna-46423 · 7/10 · 26 January 2021]

Having read the book a couple of years ago, I feel the movie captures the essence of the book to extent. Still, Book >> Movie

The White Tiger holds several significant messages concerning poor families specifically low caste in India, who must work hard in difficult conditions just to survive.

Stellar performance by Adarsh Gaurav, This film belongs to him and he shines at every moment. Rajkumar and Priyanka did a decent job as a supporting actors.

Final verdict: Recommended, A decent one time watch

Refreshing and strong!

[tusharbhargav · 9/10 · 22 January 2021]

Adarsh Gaurav is a beast in this one. Rajkumar, Priyanka did a great job too. A wild mix of emotions and its portrayal.

Darker version to Slumdog that dragged

[faisalisat · 7/10 · 25 January 2021]

I fell for the hype and gave this a watch.

It looks good. The acting is brilliant, especially that of the lead. The premise was really good too.

I felt it dragged though and had major flaws.

The protagonist is writing an email to a VIP whom he ends up seeing just to say a poor line of dialogue to.

It ended and the feeling was that of being underwhelmed.

I hate to make the comparison (there is a reference in the movie itself) to Slumdog Millionaire, which was on another level to this for its story telling and ending.

Worth a watch but don't go in believing it will live up to the hype.

I did not want it to end!

[azizmalhas · 8/10 · 29 January 2021]

What an eventful story. I mean they somehow westernized the story; however it was still a great execution.

Drama. Suspense. Humor. Mystery. And acting was top notch, specially from Balram!!

Well done.