Going into The White Tiger, I wasn’t sure what to anticipate. I hadn't seen anything from any of the actors or from writer-director Ramin Bahrani before, and I maintain my rule of avoiding trailers, so I knew very little about the story itself. Despite that, I felt genuinely excited; starting a year with a completely blind watch—something I really value—seemed like an excellent way to kick off what I hope will be a better year than the last one. Right from the start, it’s clear that Bahrani intends to use his film as a means of educating viewers about India's social and economic divisions (the caste system) and their consequences. We follow Adarsh Gourav’s character, Balram, as he attempts to break free from tradition and become an entrepreneur. I generally avoid political movies, even satirical ones; along with religion, these are topics I’ve steered clear of my entire life due to reasons like corruption and wars. That said, The White Tiger delivers important messages about impoverished families (those in the lower castes) who must work under incredibly difficult conditions just to survive, particularly in India. It also explores themes such as arranged marriage and the deeply ingrained master-servant dynamic. These cultural lessons regarding India’s social and economic structure are easily the most compelling aspect of the screenplay, and Bahrani does a great job of sharing this awareness with the audience in an engaging way. The cinematography by Paolo Carnera places viewers at ground level, immersing them in the gritty streets of various Indian locations, creating a realistic atmosphere, while Chad Keith’s production design is also key to establishing that authentic Indian setting. Despite these strong technical elements, Bahrani's script suffers from a relentless string of plot points that don’t contribute much to developing the protagonist or advancing the story, particularly after the midpoint. Some scenes feel repetitive and don’t move the narrative forward, making it seem like minutes could be cut without losing anything important. Consequently, the film feels longer than necessary, which can affect viewers' focus and potentially cause some of the key messages—especially the economic ones—to get lost. Balram’s narration helps somewhat, but a more logical reason for this storytelling device might have been found. The movie also relies on the viewer having some existing knowledge about India and an interest in learning more. For me, The White Tiger didn't offer any new information, which lessened its entertainment value, although the visuals helped connect what I already knew to a tangible experience. On a positive note, the cast is fantastic, with Adarsh Gourav deserving particular praise for his first lead role. Balram is a well-developed character who will likely resonate with audiences worldwide. Gourav demonstrates impressive range, showing comedic timing and amusing expressions but also an emotional depth that truly elevates some of the film’s best moments. The White Tiger uses English and Indian languages to educate viewers about India's social and economic system through Adarsh Gourav’s character, who narrates what is described as the largest email ever about his life. Despite a somewhat odd setup, Ramin Bahrani delivers an enlightening and interesting story with many important messages concerning India's culture and the incredibly difficult lives of much of its population. Gourav provides a remarkable performance, bringing to life a well-written, relatable character whose unbelievable journey unfolds against a backdrop of immersive production design and superb camera work, creating a realistic environment. Unfortunately, this Netflix film is weighed down by an excessive amount of gradually unimportant plot developments, which unnecessarily extends the runtime and negatively impacts the pacing. The repetition distracts viewers, potentially causing them to miss some of the essential lessons. I would recommend it to those interested in learning more about India or who have lived there, but if you’re already familiar with the country, it might not be as entertaining or informative as you hope. Rating: C+

Source on TMDB