THE WHITE TIGER

US/ India, 2021, 125 minutes, Colour.

Adarsh Gourav, Rajkummar Rao, Priyanka Chopra.

Directed by Ramin Bahrani.

In a way, The White Tiger has to be seen to be believed. It is an adaptation of a very popular novel of the same name by Aravind Adiga, 2008 (and nominated for a Best Adapted Screenplay Oscar, 2020).

There is no lack of plot in this extraordinary tale of a poor Indian boy, the vicissitudes of his life, his shrewdness in making the most out of his life, not bound by moral scruple.

After being thwarted in his education, he has a job in the mansion of the local wealthy family, eventually becoming one of the chauffeurs, especially to one of the sons and his wife who have returned to India from the United States. He ingratiates himself with the family, and begins a series of extraordinary wheeler-dealings to improve his status.

Part of his experience is having to take the blame for the death of a child in a car accident when the lady of the house was actually driving, drunk. However, he takes advantage of the situations, no scruple as regards financial fraud, even, eventually to a murder.

In its 125 minutes, there is more than sufficient plot for a miniseries. The screenplay was written by Iranian-American director, Ramin Bahrani, whose wide range of films include Goodbye, Solo, 99 Homes, the remake of Fahrenheit 451.

1. The White Tiger, the symbol, the Tiger in the zoo, Belram a white Tiger?
2. Oscar-nomination for best adapted screenplay from the novel?
3. India, the settings, the countryside, the small village, details of home, school? The contrast with the city, vast, poor neighbourhoods and slums, narrow streets? The contrast with the wealthy, homes, interiors, hotels, political venues? The finale in Bangalore, the Silicon Valley of India, buildings, companies, the driving company? The musical score? Indian tone?
4. Belram as an adult, the reckless driving and merriment, the accident, his success, appearance, wealth, his narrating his stories, the flashbacks to his childhood, early work as a driver? The buildup to the car crash and accident again? The consequences?
5. The little boy, at school, ignorance, his capacity for reading, the praise of the teacher, the white tiger? At home, his abilities, encouragement? The family, his father and his work, the support of his grandmother? Growing up, friends, talent?
6. The adult Belram, to the city, being hired, becoming the driver? Age, experience, the touch of naivete, his seeing himself as a servant, the ethos of the servant, deference?
7. The family, coming to the countryside, the heavy demands on taxes, collecting the money, Belram’s father and his having no money? Belram being employed? The father and his arrogance, his brother, their treatment of Belram? His having to drive for Ashok and his wife?
8. Ashok and his wife, living in the United States, the return home, the style of living, treatment of servants? The birthday, the celebrations, Pink wanting to drive? Belram in the back, the recklessness, the speed, the child in the street, run over? The dilemma? The decision to leave? The effect on Belram?
9. The aftermath, Belram being summoned, the family present, the lawyer, the draft of the confession, the pressure on Belram, his signing the confession, the family’s hold over him?
10. The consequences for Ashok, the clashes with Pink, her walking out, getting Belram to drive her to the airport? Ashok and his upset, anger, drinking? Treatment of Belram? Belram continuing to drive him to functions, the political implications, the bribes, the bags?
11. Belram talking about his change of attitude, the money in the bags, his handling it? Getting advice from other drivers of how to make money from the owners, shortchanging, selling the petrol, acting as a taxi and charging fees?
12. The treatment by the family, the humiliations? Is trying to serve Ashok?
13. His plan, the broken bottle, pretending the breakdown, to fix the wheel, the rain, Ashok in the rain, the attack, Belram killing him? Abandoning the body?
14. The young cousin coming from the country, Belram attacking him, then supporting him, getting the job, taking him with him in the escape, the various train rides, arriving at Bangalore, the Silicon Valley of India?
15. Belram learning from the family, taking the money, going to the authorities, making the bribe, getting the support? His setting up his business? The drivers? His more decent way of treating them? His prosperity? The visit to the zoo with his cousin? The white tiger?
16. The setting in the 2000s, India and the political background, the visit from China, Belram and his approach to the dignitary and offering the taxi service?
17. The narrative as a comment on India, the people, wealth and poverty, politics, corruption, individuals making their way?